MOORHEAD Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team opened its dual season on Thursday night earning a thrilling come-from-behind victory over No. 25 MSU Moorhead 18-16 at Alex Nemzek Hall.
 
SMSU trailed 16-6 after six bouts, but rallied back earning victories in the final four matches to secure the victory and pick up its third straight win over MSUM.  
 
The comeback started at 174 pounds as Hayden Voxland earned an 11-4 decision to cut the deficit to 16-9. Caden Steffen, in his first match as a Mustangs at 184, trailed late in the match by one points, but Steffen was able to rally and earn a take down and secure an 11-5 victory in the final seconds, to make the score 16-12 in favor of MSUM.
 
No. 8 ranked Jackson Ryan at 197 kept the winnings ways for SMSU as he was able to hold on for a 5-3 decision to pull the Mustangs to within 16-15 heading into the final bout.
 
SMSU heavyweight Jacob Dykes came through in a big way as earned four points in the second period and would earn a 4-1 victory and give the Mustangs the dual win.
 
MSUM's Cole Jones had an impressive opening bout against SMSU's Ben Emrich winning with a major decision 8-0. Jackson Stauffacher put SMSU on the board with a 10-5 win at 133, before Justin Sampson suffered a 4-1 defeat at 141.
 
SMSU's Robert Shields recorded a big 5-1 victory at 149 to cut the MSUM lead to 7-6, before the Mustangs' Sean Howk and Carter Marx suffered back-to-back losses to make the deficit 16-6.
 
Southwest Minnesota State will be back in action next Thursday, Jan. 14, for its home opener taking on the University of Mary starting at 7 p.m. in the second of six NSIC duals this season.
 
Southwest Minnesota State 18, No. 25 MSU Moorhead 16
 
125 | Cole Jones wins by major decision (8-0) over Ben Emrich. MSUM-4, SMSU-0
133 | Jackson Stauffacher wins by decision (10-5) over Joey Nerdahl. MSUM-4, SMSU-3
141 | Mason Schulz win by decision (4-1) over Justin Sampson. MSUM-7, SMSU-3
149 | Robert Shields wins by decision (5-1) over Angel Rios. MSUM-7, SMSU-6
157 | Tell Ward win by decision (6-4) over Sean Howk. MSUM-10, SMSU-6
165 | Braydon Ortloff win by fall at 5:54 over Carter Marx. MSUM-16, SMSU-6
174 | Hayden Voxland wins by decision (11-4) over Evan Foster. MSUM-16, SMSU-9
184 | Caden Steffen wins by decision (11-5) over Steven Abbott. MSUM-16, SMSU-12
197 | Jackson Ryan wins by decision (5-3) over Jake Erckenbrack. MSUM-16, SMSU-15
285 | Jacob Dykes wins by decision (4-1) over Jaden Oestren. MSUM-16, SMSU-18

Extra Matches 

125 | Cameron Williams wins by fall at 1:38 over Patrick Baumgardner 
149 | Luke Peterson wins by major decision (19-5) over Ethan Kiehm
165 | Kevin Bostwick wins by decision (6-2) over Justin Dravis 
174 | Jace Paplow wins by decision (9-6) over Cody Dravis 
174 | Gage Roaldson wins by fall at 4:08 over Elijah Sterner