MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University wrestling team came out on the wrong end of bonus points in a 23-16 loss to the (RV) University of Sioux Falls Cougars inside the PE Gym on Friday night.

SMSU drops to 3-11 on the season and 0-8 in NSIC duals. 

The dual began with the 125-pound match between Carlo Arreola and Jaxton Packer. Arreola came out of the gates on the offensive, forcing Packer to make adjustments early. However, the adjustments would not work out for Packer, as Arreola dominated his way to a first-period pin at 1:56 to give SMSU a 6-0 lead.

At 133, Chase Hanson fought hard with No. 11 ranked Beau Klingensmith. Klingensmith earned a takedown in the first period to lead 3-1 after the first three minutes and held control for the remainder of the match.

Klingensmith earned a 6-2 decision victory for USF to cut the deficit to three points.
 
141 pounds featured Dylan Louwage for the Mustangs. Louwagie secured a takedown just 20 seconds into the first period to sway the momentum in his favor and never looked back in cruising to a 4-2 decision victory.
 
USF's Sir Brandon Watts was too much for Jake Messner in the 149-pound match picking up a 4-2 win to cut the SMSU lead to 9-6.

Sean Howk, ranked No. 20 for four consecutive weeks in the Open Mat rankings, put up a flawless performance for SMSU in the 157-pound match.

After a pair of uneventful periods, Howk would go on the defensive in the third period, earning an escape to gain a 1-0 lead with just over a minute left to wrestle. Howk held strong in the final minute to add a point of riding time and escape with the win.

Caden Young represented the Mustangs at 165 pounds. Young struggled to get any offense going, ultimately falling 2-0.

Elijah Sterner represented SMSU at 174 pounds versus Grant Moraski. Moraski controlled the entire match to pick up a 22-4 tech fall  
 
At 184, Mason Buss battled for the Mustangs with Daevon Vereen. Buss controlled the front half of the match until Vereen made a last-ditch effort in the third period to tie the match with one second left to force an overtime period. 

Just five seconds into the overtime period Buss would get pinned and USF would take the lead in the dual at 20-12.
 
Kody Marschner gave SMSU some life in the following bout picking up a 19-6 major decision victory to pull the Mustangs back to a four-point deficit.

At 285 pounds, Evan Thompson fell to Isaiah Laguna.

SMSU returns to the mat next Friday, Feb. 14, for its final regular season dual of the season taking on Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha, Wis.

The match was the final home dual for SMSU's three seniors, Sean Howk, Elijah Sterner, and Adam Sylvester.

"Awesome environment and awesome dual tonight. I am proud of every guy who stepped on the mat for showing fight and heart," said SMSU head coach Chayse Jackson. "The end result may not have been what we hoped, but there was a lot of good. We knew going in that bonus points would be important, and unfortunately, we came out on the wrong end of them. One more dual to go. One more dual to improve. Love fighting with these guys, and look forward to more!"

USF 23, SMSU 16
125 (presented by Mustang Wrestling Club) – Carlo Arreola (SMSU) over Jaxton Packer (USF) (Fall 1:56)
133 (presented by Fort Pierre Livestock Auction) – No. 11 Beau Klingensmith (USF) over Chase Hanson (SMSU) (Dec 6-2)
141 (presented by Tahnee Mara Concrete and Petroleum) – Dylan Louwagie (SMSU) over Jordon Oehme (USF) (Dec 4-2)
149 (presented by Lierman Excavating Co.) – Sir Brandon Watts (USF) over Jake Messner (SMSU) (Dec 4-2)
157 (presented by Wendinger Travel) – No. 20 Sean Howk (SMSU) over Lincoln Fink (USF) (Dec 2-0)
165 (presented by Kibble Equipment) – Cooper Sanders (USF) over Caden Young (SMSU) (Dec 2-0)
174 (presented by Cottonwood Oil Co-op) - Grant Moraski (USF) over Elijah Sterner (SMSU) (TF 22-5 6:36)
184 (presented by Marshall Army National Guard) -Daevon Vereen (USF) over Mason Buss (SMSU) (SV-1 10-7)
197 (presented by Borch's Sporting Goods) - Kody Marschner (SMSU) over Timothy Lacina (USF) (MD 19-6)
285 (presented by Countryside Golf Course) - Isaiah Laguna (USF) over Evan Thompson (SMSU) (Dec 5-2)
Extra Matches:
133 (presented by Fort Pierre Livestock Auction) - Calvin Empkey (USF) over AJ Polansky (SMSU) (Dec 10-7)