MITCHELL, S.D. – The Southwest Minnesota State University wrestling team defeated the Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) Tigers on Saturday evening by a final score of 23-14. 

SMSU starts its season 2-0 for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

The dual started with the 174-pound match between Elijah Sterner and Jagger Tyler. Sterner kicked things off with a hard-fought 12-8 win via decision, giving SMSU a 3-0 lead.
 
At 184, Adam Sylvester dominated for the Mustangs on his way to a tech fall five minutes into the match to give SMSU an 8-0 lead.
 
Kody Marschner kept the ball rolling with a 24-9 tech fall at 4:15 in the 197-pound match. Marschner got out to a commanding 10-5 lead in the first period and kept his foot on the gas to lead 18-7 with a minute left in the second frame. Marschner scored three more takedowns on his way to picking up the tech fall.

At 285 pounds, Jackson Esping trailed 3-0 after the first period to Cole Hennings. Hennings used another takedown in the second period and a pair of escapes in the third period to claim an 8-2 victory, giving DWU its first points of the dual and shrinking the deficit to 13-3, SMSU.

The 125-pound match saw Carlo Arreola make his return to the mat, squaring off with Tukker Boe. Arreola secured a pair of takedowns right away to take a 6-1 lead and kept the pressure on to lead 11-7 at the beginning of the third period. 

He would record one more takedown on his way to a 14-9 win via decision. The SMSU lead would extend to 16-3.

The next bout was the 133-pound match between AJ Polansky and Kipp Cordes, which resulted in a 19-7 major decision win for Cordes, shrinking the margin to 10 points.
 
141 pounds saw Dylan Louwagie square off with No. 15/17 and NAIA national qualifier, Zach Zitek. Louwagie moved to an early 3-0 lead in the first period before Zitek escaped and secured a takedown to take a 4-3 lead. Louwagie knotted up the score at 4-4 with an escape but Zitek held him at four points for the rest of the match with a take down and escape to claim a 9-4 win via decision. The Tigers inched closer with the deficit now being just seven points.
 
149 pounds featured Jake Messner for the Mustangs. Messner started off hot, moving to a 4-0 lead three minutes into the match before leading 7-1 after two periods. Messner would secure a final takedown, two escapes, and a point of riding time to win via 13-3 major decision and give SMSU the 20-10 lead.
 
Sean Howk kept the momentum going for SMSU, defeating Talan Ball at 157 pounds by a 9-5 decision to expand the lead to 23-10.
 
Caden Young represented SMSU at 165 pounds versus Jackson Remmers. Remmers took control in the second period and never let up, cruising to a 10-1 major decision win.
 
"Another great night! We showed up against a very talented DWU program in a showcase dual in the historic Corn Palace. However, we quickly silenced the large crowd and pushed every guy, win or lose, into deep water. This team is truly special. We get better every time out on the mat. By the end of the year, we will be even better. The last two duals are just the tip of the iceberg for these guys!"

SMSU returns to the mat next Saturday at the Nebraska-Kearney Open, with the first matches starting at 9 a.m.

SMSU Results:
174 pounds (presented by Cottonwood Oil Co-op)
Elijah Sterner (SMSU) over Jagger Tyler (DWU) (Dec 12-8)
184 pounds (presented by Marshall Army National Guard)
Adam Sylvester (SMSU) over Jaxon Ducheneaux (DWU) (TF 18-2 5:06) 
197 pounds (presented by Borch's Sporting Goods
Kody Marschner (SMSU) over Colten Hink (DWU) (TF 24-9 4:15)
285 pounds (presented by Countryside Golf Course)
Cole Hennings (DWU) over Jackson Esping (SMSU) (Dec 9-2)
125 pounds (presented by Mustang Wrestling Club)
Carlo Arreola (SMSU) over Tukker Boe (DWU) (Dec 14-9)
133 pounds (presented by Fort Pierre Livestock Auction)
Kipp Cordes (DWU) over Adam Polansky (SMSU) (MD 19-7)
141 pounds (presented by Tahnee Mara Concrete & Petroleum)
No. 15/17 Zach Zitek (DWU) over Dylan Louwagie (SMSU) (Dec 9-4)
149 pounds (presented by Lierman Excavating Co.)
Jake Messner (SMSU) over Taten Bahm (DWU) (MD 13-3)
157 pounds (presented by Wendinger Travel)
Sean Howk (SMSU) over Talan Ball (DWU) (Dec 9-5)
165 pounds (presented by Kibble Equipment)
Jackson Remmers (DWU) over Caden Young (SMSU) (MD 10-1)