MARSHALL, Minn. – Concordia College (Moorhead), ranked 18th in the nation in Division III, won the last four weight classes, but Southwest Minnesota State was able to hang on for a 17-16 dual victory on Friday night in Marshall.

SMSU improves to 9-5 on the season, its highest win total since the 2002-03 season. Jacob Begin won his 11th straight bout picking up a 15-2 decision at 165 pounds. SMSU improves to 6-0 in home duals on the season, dropping the Cobbers to 7-11 overall on the season.

Travis Borchert (125 pounds) opened the dual with a 9-0 major decision over Hieu Pham to give the Mustangs an early 4-0 lead. Justin Reinsma would add to the Mustangs lead in the 133-pound bout picking up a 7-1 decision over Jake Kostik to put SMSU up 7-0.

Southwest Minnesota State extended its lead to 10-0 after Ethan Hildebrandt picked up a 3-1 decision over Chad Mack at 141 pounds.

The Cobbers got on the board in the 149-pound bout with Kyle LeDuc earning an 11-3 decision over Codie Lane to make the score 10-4 in favor of the Mustangs. Casey Field rebounded for the Mustangs winning the 157-pound bout in a 3-2 decision over Kevin Fynboh to give the Mustangs a 13-4 lead.

Jacob Begin won his 11th consecutive match, improving to 20-4 on the season, earning a 15-2 major decision over Josten Coleman in the 165-pound bout, extending the Mustangs lead to 17-4. Concordia-Moorhead struck again in the 174-pound bout when Sebastian Gardner needed overtime to earn a 5-3 decision over Trent Molacek. 

The Cobbers continued to cut into SMSU's lead when Chris Harrison earned a 10-5 decision over Andrew Rodas at 184 pounds to come within seven at 17-10. Concordia-Moorhead would make things interesting when Nate Schmitz earned a 13-6 over Micah Larson, who wrestled up a class from his 184-pound weight class to 197 pounds, to bring the Cobbers within four at 17-13. 

Cody Kasprick made things interesting for the Mustangs earning a 5-4 decision over Brian Rodas in the heavyweight bout but the Mustangs hung on for a 17-16 victory.

Southwest Minnesota State returns to NSIC-action next Friday traveling to MSU Moorhead for a dual with the dragons beginning at 7 p.m. before closing out the regular season against Minnesota State, Mankato on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. at the PE Gym.

SMSU 17, Concordia-Moorhead 16
125 – Travis Borchert maj. dec. Hieu Pham, 9-0, SMSU leads 4-0
133 – Justin Reinsma dec. Jake Kostik, 7-1, SMSU leads 7-0
141 – Ethan Hildebrandt dec. Chad Mack, 3-1, SMSU leads 10-0
149 – Kyle LeDuc maj. dec. Codie Lane, 11-3, SMSU leads 10-4
157 – Casey Field dec. Kevin Fynboh, 3-2, SMSU leads 13-4
165 – Jacob Begin maj. dec. Josten Coleman, 15-2, SMSU leads 17-4
174 – Sebastian Gardner, dec. Trent Molacek, 5-3, SMSU leads 17-7
184 – Chris Harrison dec. Andrew Rodas, 10-5, SMSU leads 17-10
197 – Nate Schmitz dec. Micah Larson, 13-6, SMSU leads 17-13
285 – Cody Kasprick dec. Brian Rodas, 5-4, SMSU leads 17-16