MANKATO, Minn. - The No. 24 ranked Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team fell to Minnesota State inside the Taylor Center on Saturday evening by a score of 26-18. 
 
Caden Steffen picked up the first win of the day for the Mustangs with a 6-1 decision win over Nicolas Leo. 
 
Carter Marx defeated Thomas Johnson by fall (5:25) for the bonus point victory.  
 
Jacob Dykes was the headline for the Mustangs, defeating the reigning Division-II national champion at 285, Darrell Mason. Dykes earned a 3-1 decision victory and handed Mason his first career D-II loss. 
 
SMSU won three bouts and earned bonus points in one victory, falling to 1-2 overall and 1-2 in the NSIC on the season.  

"The team went out and fought today." Said second-year head coach Chayse Jackson. "Although it wasn't our best match, the guys showed heart and effort. Dykes had a phenomenal performance against the #1 wrestler in the country and put us in position to win. It's time to go back to the grindstone, improve, prepare, and get after it next week on the road."
 
The Mustangs will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 21, when they travel to Kenosha, Wis. To take on Parkside and to Fayette, Iowa on Sunday, Jan. 22, to take on Upper Iowa. Parkside and Upper Iowa are currently tied at No. 9 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association poll.  
 
MSU 26, SMSU 18 
125 – Ben Emrich (SMSU) wins by forfeit  
133 – Isaiah Mlsna (MSU) over Hunter Pfantz (SMSU) (Dec 9-6) 
141 – Max Schwabe (MSU) wins by forfeit  
149 – Caleb Meunier (MSU) over Tyler Soltau (SMSU) (Fall 1:17) 
157 – Drake Hayward (MSU) over Sean Howk (SMSU) (Dec 3-2) 
165 – Kole Marko (MSU) over Lucas Hodges (SMSU) (MD 11-1) 
174 – Mike Smith (MSU) over Elijah Sterner (SMSU) (MD 13-1)  
184 – Caden Steffen (SMSU) over Nicolas Leo (MSU) (Dec 6-1) 
197 – Carter Marx (SMSU) over Thomas Johnson (MSU) (Fall 5:25) 
285 – Jacob Dykes (SMSU) over Darrell Mason (MSU) (Dec 3-1)  
 
Extra Matches:  
184 Shane Gibson (MSU) Kevin Bostwick (SMSU) (Dec 10-4)