KENOSHA, Wis. – The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team (1-2, 0-1 NSIC) competed in its opening NSIC dual of the season on Friday afternoon, dropping the dual to Wisconsin-Parkside 44-0 in Kenosha, Wis. The Rangers won four bouts by decision, four by TF, and two by fall.
 
"Great fight from the team today against a top 5 powerhouse. While the scoreboard does not reflect how close the individual matches were, we showed that we can battle and stay in the fight with top level guys," said fifth year head coach Chayse Jackson. "Definite improvement from last year, and a great learning experience of where we need to go. It's time to learn, burn, return and get back to action tomorrow!"
 
Preston Xayachak was the first of three Mustangs to lose by TF in a row to start the dual, dropping his match 28-11 to Dylan Duvernay in the 125 lbs. match. Chase Hanson fell 16-0 to Lincoln Flayter in the 133 lbs. match, which was Hanson's first dual of the season. In the 141 lbs. match Bronson Richins was the victim of a late takedown by Parkside's Jordan Craft, losing 22-7. After the three opening duals, Parkside led 15-0.
 
Jake Messner broke the TF streak for the Mustangs, but a late second period and early third period takedown by Henry Niebauer gave Parkside their first decision win of the afternoon 7-1, and the dual 18-0.
 
Tate Condezo was next for the Mustangs at 157 lbs. and after a pair of takedowns in the first period, led 6-1. Parkside's Cody Welker answered with takedowns in the second period and led 13-9 before an escape and takedown by Condezo forced overtime at 13-13. Welker earned a takedown in overtime to win the bout 16-13, putting the Rangers up 21-0 at the intermission.
 
At 165 lbs. Wyatt Pollard was up for the Mustangs. Liam Fox for the Rangers earned a pair of takedowns in the first period, and Pollard was never able to mount a comeback, dropping his match 9-3.
 
Max Wiezorek in the 174 lbs. match was victim to No. 11 174 lbs. wrestler Dajun Johnson, losing by fall in the first period, and putting Parkside up 30-0.
 
In the 184 lbs. match Mason Buss faced No. 7 ranked Brady Schuh. After a pair of takedowns in the first period for Schuh, Buss fell to a TF with four seconds remaining in the second period, giving Parkside a 35-0 lead with two matches remaining.
 
Xander Kenworthy was up next for the Mustangs at 197 lbs., and stayed patient throughout the first period, going into the second period scoreless. Parkside's Kaden Hooker earned an escape and a takedown in the second period however, and maintained control in the third period, leading to an 8-1 decision victory.
 
In the final match of the afternoon, Evan Thompson at 285 lbs. was taken down early by Parkside's Cooper Caraway, and pinned in 57 seconds, giving Parkside the win with the final score of 44-0.
 
The Mustangs are in Kenosha again Saturday, competing in the Jim Koch Wisconsin Open in the Frank Petretti Fieldhouse beginning at 9 a.m. SMSU competes on Saturday Dec. 13, and Sunday Dec. 14, in the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis, Ind. More information can be found at smsumustangs.com/sports/wrestling.
 
Full Dual Box Score:
125 (presented by Kibble Equipment): Dylan Duvernay (UWP) over Preston Xayachak (SMSU) (TF 28-11 6:44)
133 (presented by Fort Pierre Livestock): Lincoln Flayter (UWP) over Chase Hanson (SMSU) (TF 16-0 5:48)
141 (presented by Tahnee Mara Petroleum): Jordan Craft (UWP) over Bronson Richins (SMSU) (TF 22-7 6:39)
149 (presented by Countryside Golf): Henry Niebauer (UWP) over Jacob Messner (SMSU) (Dec 7-1)
157 (presented by Keller Williams / Reilly Home Team): Cody Welker (UWP) over Tate Condezo (SMSU) (SV-1 20-13)
165 (presented by the Marshall Animal Clinic): Liam Fox (UWP) over Wyatt Pollard (SMSU) (Dec 9-3)
174 (presented by Borch's): Dajun Johnson (UWP) over Max Wiezorek (SMSU) (Fall 1:14)
184 (presented by Mustang Wrestling Club): Brady Schuh (UWP) over Mason Buss (SMSU) (TF 18-1 4:56)
197 (presented by Les Schwab Tires): Kaden Hooker (UWP) over Xander Kenworthy (SMSU) (Dec 8-1)
285 (presented by First National Bank): Cooper Caraway (UWP) over Evan Thompson (SMSU) (Fall 0:57)