MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team will continue loop play on Thursday as it hosts Northern State at 7:30 p.m., before traveling to Upper Iowa on Friday night at 7 p.m.

SMSU's dual on Thursday night will be paired with Marshall High School versus Tracy-Milroy-Balaton. Marshall JV vs. TMB JV matches will start at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity at 5:30 p.m.

CATCHING UP WITH THE MUSTANGS - The Mustangs will enter the week with a 5-7 overall record, 1-1 in the NSIC, after recording a 1-1 record last weekend against Augustana University and the University of Mary. The Mustangs suffered a 27-12 in their NSIC debut, but bounced back with a 24-15 win to U-Mary in their NSIC home opener.
SMSU is ranked No. 14 in the latest Super Region III rankings and senior heavyweight Cole Wilson is ranked third.

NORTHERN STATE - The Wolves will enter Thursday's dual 5-9 overall, 0-3 in conference play and are on a four-dual skid. NSU started NSIC action with a 31-21 loss to Augustana before going 1-3 at the Midwest Duals. NSU suffered a pair of NSIC losses last week to No. 8 Upper Iowa (34-16) and No. 2 St. Cloud State (44-4).

NORTHERN STATE HISTORY -Southwest Minnesota State will meet with Northern State for the 37th time in a series that started back in the 1979-80 season. SMSU has won the last five matches, including the last two played in Marshall. SMSU holds a 9-4-3 advantage in matches played in the PE Gym. SMSU's last loss in the series was a 21-18 defeat in the 2009-10 season in Marshall.

UPPER IOWA - The Peacocks will enter Friday's dual with an 11-1 overall record, 4-0 in the conference and riding a five-dual win streak. UIU is ranked No. 8 in the latest DII national poll and No. 4 in the Super Region III rankings. UIU started conference action with a pair of wins over U-Mary and Minot State. UIU finished played five-ranked teams at the NWCA National Duals and finished with a 4-1 record, with its only loss to No. 1 Maryville. The Peacocks defeated MSU Moorhead (28-7) and Northern State (34-16) last weekend. UIU's Zak Benitz (165 pounds) is ranked sixth in the latest DII national poll and second in the Super Region III, while entering the weekend on a 10-dual win streak. UIU has seven other wrestlers ranked in the Super Region III: No. 5 Garrett Wangsness (125), No. 4 Matt Paulus (133), No. 4 Damian Penichet (149 pounds), No. 5 Jordan Rinken (157), No. 4 Colby Vance (174), No. 3 Dalton Westerlund (184) and No. 5 Ryan Parmely (197)

UPPER IOWA HISTORY - SMSU will meet with Upper Iowa for the 16th time in a series that started back in the 1991-92 season. SMSU won the first four duals of the series, but since have suffered a loss in the last 11 with its last victory coming back in the 1994-95 season (24-13).

STREAKS - Senior Cole Wilson, who is ranked fourth in the Super Region III at 285 pounds, and Kyle Begin both, recorded 2-0 records in the NSIC opening weekend. Wilson will enter the week on a eight-bout win streak, while Begin will start the week on a six-bout streak.

NSIC WRESTLER OF THE WEEK - Southwest Minnesota State senior heavyweight wrestlerCole Wilsonwas named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Wrestler of the Week on Monday after finishing last weekend 2-0. This marks the third time Wilson has received this honor in his career and first of the season.

Wilson, a 285 pounder, from Faribault, Minn., recorded a 2-0 record this past weekend against Augustana University and the University of Mary. Wilson started the weekend with a pin over No. 8 (NCAA DII)/No. 3 (Super Region III) Michael Lowman from Augustana at 6:54 for his sixth pin of the season. The heavyweight closed the weekend with a 1-0 decision over U-Mary's Travis Smith.

PROBABLES - The following are the probable starters for SMSU.
125 | Taylor Curtis (1-17)
133 | Antonio Meikel (9-13)
141 | Cortez Arredondo (9-9)
149 | Zach Beaumaster (4-8)
157 | Patrick Kelley (10-9)
165 | Kegen Fingalsen (20-9)
174 | Kyle Begin (11-6)
184 | Brody Goens (10-10)
197 | Ashton Bartlett (5-14)
285 | Cole Wilson (18-3)

UP NEXT - Southwest Minnesota State will host Minot State and Minnesota State next weekend.