MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team earned its first dual victory of the season defeating the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers 20-19. The two teams split the matches 5-5.
 
"A great show of fight and horsepower from the team. From whistle to whistle and up and down the lineup we showed fight and heart in every match," said fifth year head coach Chayse Jackson. "The team capitalized on opportunities to get bonus points, and found a way to minimize bonus on other. I loved the shift from Thursday and am excited to get a full week of training in before we head to Kearny for another big tournament. Let's ride!"
 
The first match of the dual featured Bronson Richins at 141 lbs. Early takedowns from DWU's Ian Metz put Richins in an early hole. Despite a late flurry by Richins, Metz survived and took the match 14-10.
 
In the mext match at 149 lbs., Jake Messner gained a pair of early takedowns, and rode his way to a 17-4 major decision victory, giving the Mustangs a 4-3 lead.
 
Tate Condezo in the 157 lbs. match used an escape to build a 2-1 lead after one period, and nearly pinned DWU's Tyson Johnson in the second, winning the third match of the dual 8-2.
 
The next match at 165 lbs. featured Wyatt Pollard. In the second period, Pollard fell victim to a pair of takedowns by Lane Miller, and lost the match 14-3 tying the match overall at 7 apiece.
 
Max Wiezorek was next up for the Mustangs at 174 lbs., facing Jagger Tyler. The Tigers wrestler gained a sizeable advantage early, and despite a takedown from Wiezorek in the second, took back control and won the bout 12-3. Dakota Wesleyan lead 11-7 at the intermission.
 
Mason Buss wrestled for SMSU at 184 lbs. against Teagen Foreman. An early takedown for Buss gave the sophomore a 4-2 lead in the first period. Foreman answered with a takedown of his own in the second period, and used that to win the bout 10-5.
 
At 197 lbs., Xander Kenworthy landed a takedown in the first period. Kenworthy used the momentum to lead 9-1 in the second set, and won the match 10-5.
 
In the heavyweight bout, Evan Thompson used a takedown in each of the first two periods to pull away and earn a 7-3 victory. Thompson now had two victories on the season in his sophomore campaign.
 
Dylan St. Germain responded with a 36 second pin in the 125 lbs. match against DWU's Jaxon Irvine, giving the Mustangs a 19-14 lead heading into the final match.
 
AJ Polansky in the 133 lbs. division was the final wrestler on the night for the Mustangs. After a pair of takedowns in the second and third round, DWU's Kipp Cordes won by TF, bringing the score to 19-19.
 
SMSU held the advantage in the first tiebreaker, being total pins, and was awarded a point to win the match 20-19.
 
The Mustangs are back in action next weekend in Kearney, Neb. for the Nebraska-Kearney Open on Nov. 22, starting at 9 a.m. More information can be found at smsumustangs.com/sports/wrestling.
 
Full Dual Box Score:
141: Ian Metz (DWSD) over Bronson Richins (SMSU) (Dec 14-10)
149: Jacob Messner (SMSU) over Landon Flogstad (DWSD) (MD 17-4)
157: Tate Condezo (SMSU) over Tyson Johnson (DWSD) (Dec 8-2)
165: Lane Miller (DWSD) over Wyatt Pollard (SMSU) (MD 14-3)
174: Jagger Tyler (DWSD) over Max Wiezorek (SMSU) (MD 12-3)
184: Teagan Foreman (DWSD) over Mason Buss (SMSU) (Dec 10-5)
197: Xander Kenworthy (SMSU) over Jaxon Quail (DWSD) (Dec 10-5)
285: Evan Thompson (SMSU) over Cole Hennings (DWSD) (Dec 7-3)
125: Dylan St. Germain (SMSU) over Jaxson Irvine (DWSD) (Fall 0:35)
133: Kipp Cordes (DWSD) over AJ Polansky (SMSU) (TF 17-2 6:30)