MATCH NOTES (PDF)

MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team (4-4, 1-4 NSIC) will close the regular season this weekend, hosting Northern State (4-8, 1-4 NSIC) on Friday at 7 p.m. and No. 4 Minnesota State, Mankato (8-3, 3-2 NSIC) on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Series records:  Friday will be the 31st meeting SMSU and NSU.  The  Mustangs are 20-8-2 against the Wolves all-time, while head coach Jesse Nelson is 1-1 versus NSU.  Saturday will mark the 29th meeting between SMSU and MSU.  The Mustangs are 8-20 against the Mavericks all-time, while Nelson is 0-2 against MSU.

Last week:  SMSU picked up a pair of wins last week, defeating Morningside (Iowa) on the road and topping Mary at home.  On Thursday in Sioux City, Iowa, Trent Molacek posted a win by fall and SMSU picked up wins in seven of 10 bouts to top MC 28-13.  The Mustangs picked up victories in six of 10 bouts to top Mary 25-15 in their home opener Saturday afternoon in Marshall.

First home win:  Last Saturday's home win against Mary was head coach Jesse Nelson's first victory in the P.E. Gym during his tenure at SMSU.  The win came on attempt No. 11 for Nelson, who is now 1-10 at home.   The Mustangs' last win at home prior to Saturday came back during the 2006-07 season when SMSU, under head coach John Sterner, topped Concordia College of Moorhead 21-15.

Carter ranked nationally:  Demond Carter (East St. Louis, Ill.) jumped two spots and is ranked No. 6 at 149 pounds in the latest individual Division II national rankings released Feb. 3 by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.  The junior, who debuted at No. 8 on Jan. 20, has compiled a 10-8 record this season.

Mustangs stay sixth:  SMSU is ranked No. 6 in the latest Super Region Three rankings released on Feb. 2.  Upper Iowa took the No. 1 spot in the rankings.  Demond Carter is SMSU's highest ranked individual as he is No. 2 at 149 pounds.

According to the coaches:  The NSIC's head coaches tabbed SMSU seventh in the 2009 Preseason Coaches' Poll.  SMSU received 12 points in the poll.  Minnesota State received 54 points and took the top spot.
    Team            Points
    1.     Minnesota State    54
    2.     Augustana    48
    3.     Upper Iowa    45
            St. Cloud State    5
    5.     Minnesota State Moorhead    18
    6.     Northern State    16
    7.     Southwest Minnesota State    12
    8.     Mary    2

The coach:  Jesse Nelson enters his third year as head coach of the SMSU wrestling program.  Nelson owns a 7-22 record at SMSU and has charted improved campaigns in each of his seasons with the Mustangs.  He is assisted by Jake Avre.

Mustang wrestling online: All of SMSU's home wrestling contests this season will be broadcast at www.pennatlantic.com.  The Webcasts are free of charge, but users must set up an account with Penn Atlantic to view the matches.

Stay connected:  Stay connected with SMSU wrestling all season long at www.smsumustangs.com.  The Mustangs are also on Facebook and Twitter; just log onto www.facebook.com/smsumustangs and www.twitter.com/smsumustangs.  For the latest video highlights and new episodes of the Mustang Minute check out SMSU's official YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/smsuathletics.

SMSU Probable Line-Up...
125    Robert Morris
133    A.J. Jenniges
141    Brandan Schunk
149    Demond Carter
157    Wade Granger
165    Trent Molacek
174    Micah Larson OR William Fate
184    C.D. Johnson
197    Andrew Rodas OR Alex Huls
285    Brian Rodas OR Carter Ash


About This Weekend's Opponents...
Northern State...the Wolves enter the weekend 4-8 (1-4 NSIC) ... lone conference win came against Minnesota State Moorhead ... led by 10th-year head coach Pat Timm ... no individuals ranked nationally.

Minnesota State...the Mavericks are 8-3 (3-2 NSIC) ... ranked No. 4 in latest national poll ... three individuals ranked nationally ... led by 17th-year head coach Jim Makovsky