MOORHEAD, Minn. – On Thursday evening, the Southwest Minnesota State University wrestling team suffered a setback to the MSU Moorhead Dragons in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference dual by a final score of 30-10.

The Mustangs drop to 3-8 overall, 0-5 NSIC while the Dragons jump to 6-2 on the season and 2-2 in NSIC duals.

The dual began with the 285-pound weight class match, with Kody Marschner moving up from his usual 197-pound class. Marschner battled Liam Babitt to trail close behind a 3-0 after the first three minutes, but lost momentum in the second period and was pinned at 4:08.
 
125 pounds was a hard-fought contest between Preston Xayachak and Clayson Mele. Xayachack would secure a takedown and reversal to build a 7-4 lead after the first period. Mele countered with an explosive final four minutes to earn a 19-13 decision victory and give MSUM a 9-0 lead.

The 133-pound match saw Chase Hanson battle North Dakota State transfer, Ryan Henningson. Henningson put his foot on the gas in the first period and never looked back in cruising to a 21-4 third-period tech fall. 

The Dragons would also win the 141-pound match via 11-0 decision.

149 pounds saw Jake Messner grab the first SMSU win of the night. After a stalemate in the first frame, Messner grabbed a takedown with 15 seconds remaining in the second period to lead 4-1, heading to the final two minutes. In the third period, Messner picked up another takedown to earn a comfortable 7-3 win via decision.
 
Sean Howk, ranked No. 20 in this week's (Jan. 22) Open Mat rankings, kept the momentum going for the Mustangs, earning his fifth-straight match victory and cutting the deficit to 21-6. 
 
MSUM won the next two matches at 174 pounds and 184 pounds to take a 30-6 lead heading into the final match of the dual

Adam Sylvester made the jump to 197 pounds and it paid off, as he went on to claim an 18-5 major decision victory over MSUM's William Price.

"Tough wrestling tonight from both teams. MSUM got the better of us, but we didn't back down in any match, even shifting and moving guys up weight classes to fill a hole," said fourth-year head coach Chayse Jackson. "Proud of the guys for stepping on the mat and competing as a team. We continue to learn and improve, and tonight will be no different."

SMSU returns to the PE Gym next Friday, Jan. 31, hosting Minnesota State for the annual Rave Night, with start time scheduled for 7 p.m.

MSUM 30, SMSU 10
285 (presented by Countryside Golf Course) - Liam Babitt (MSUM) over Kody Marschner (SMSU) (Fall 4:08)
125 (presented by Mustang Wrestling Club) – Clayson Mele (MSUM) over Preston Xayachak (SMSU) (Dec 19-13)
133 (presented by Fort Pierre Livestock Auction) – Ryan Henningson (MSUM) over Chase Hanson (SMSU) (TF 21-4 6:21)
141 (presented by Tahnee Mara Concrete and Petroleum) – Pedro Velazquez (MSUM) over Dylan Louwagie (SMSU) (MD 11-0)
149 (presented by Lierman Excavating Co.) – Jake Messner (SMSU) over Cody Wienen (MSUM) (Dec 7-3)
157 (presented by Wendinger Travel) – No. 20 Sean Howk (SMSU) over Jacob Reinardy (MSUM) (Dec 7-2)
165 (presented by Kibble Equipment) – Jacob Thomas (MSUM) over Noah Jensen (SMSU) (Dec 9-6)
174 (presented by Cottonwood Oil Co-op) - Anthony Sykora (MSUM) over Elijah Sterner (SMSU) (Dec 14-7)
184 (presented by Marshall Army National Guard) -Wyatt Powell (MSUM) over Mason Buss (SMSU) (Fall 1:47)
197 (presented by Borch's Sporting Goods) - Adam Sylvester (SMSU) over William Price (MSUM) (MD 18-5)
Extra Matches
141 (presented by Tahnee Mara Concrete and Petroleum) - Thomas Carillo (MSUM) over Chase Murphy (SMSU) (Dec 4-1)