MINOT, N.D. – Highlighted by three wins by fall, the Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team picked up its first NSIC win of the season on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Minot State Beavers by a final score of 24-15. The Mustangs won five matches, with the three wins by fall, and two more by decision. This was the first win for SMSU wrestling against MSU since Feb. 7, 2020.
 
"Tonight, we wrestled like a team. In a 5/5 split, we found bonus point victories, minimized our losses, and competed from whistle to whistle in every position and every match," said fifth-year head coach Chayse Jackson, a former assistant coach at Minot State. "It's great to get the first NSIC dual win of the year, and I am fired up to bring this energy and #Horsepower back to Marshall next week for alumni night and Rave night! Be ready for the biggest party on the mat!"
 
Dylan St. Germain kicked off the dual at 125 lbs., picking up his seventh win by fall this season, defeating MSU's Austin Garcia in the second period.
 
Chase Hanson followed his win by fall on Friday by defeating Cole Faircloth by decision 9-4, marking Hanson's eighth win of the season.
 
Bronson Richins could not follow in winning ways at 141 lbs., dropping the third match of the afternoon to Ethan Wonser 8-7 after a late flurry from Richins to steal the match.
 
Minot State was deducted a point during the 141 lbs. match for badgering, leaving the score at 9-2.
 
At 149 lbs. SMSU's Jake Messner got the Mustangs back into winning ways, pinning Robert Salehi in the first round and giving SMSU a 15-2 lead in the dual.
 
Tate Condezo followed up by pinning Roman Leifridt of MSU in the third period with just 36 seconds left in the match. Condezo earned his 21^st win of the season and his eighth win by fall, making the score 21-2 after five matches.
 
Wyatt Pollard and Noah Jensen, despite their efforts, came up short in the 165 and 174 lbs. matches, failing to build on the Mustangs lead.
 
In a crucial match in the dual, Mason Buss came up clutch at 184 lbs., defeating Payton Wayman 13-8, and clinching the dual for the Mustangs.
 
In the 197 and 285 lbs. matches, Xander Kenworthy and Evan Thompson both suffered losses by decision, leaving the final dual score of 24-15.
 
SMSU is back in the PE Gym next weekend, facing Northern State on Friday, Jan. 30, at 7:30. The dual will be streaming live on the NSIC Network. Tickets and more information can be found at smsumustangs.com/sports/wrestling.
 
Full Dual Results
125 lbs., Presented by Kibble Equipment: Dylan St. Germain (SMSU) over Austin Garcia (MINOT) (Fall 4:00)
133 lbs., Presented by Fort Pierre Livestock: Chase Hanson (SMSU) over Cole Faircloth (MINOT) (Dec 9-4)
141 lbs., Presented by Tahnee Mara Petroleum: Ethan Wonser (MINOT) over Bronson Richins (SMSU) (Dec 8-7)
149 lbs., Presented by Countryside Golf: Jacob Messner (SMSU) over Robert Salehi (MINOT) (Fall 1:27)
157 lbs., Presented by Keller Williams / Reilly Home Team: Tate Condezo (SMSU) over Roman Leifridt (MINOT) (Fall 6:24)
165 lbs., Presented by Marshall Animal Clinic: Daniels Bendiks (MINOT) over Wyatt Pollard (SMSU) (Dec 9-3)
174 lbs., Presented by Borch's: Gavin Turk (MINOT) over Noah Jensen (SMSU) (MD 20-7)
184 lbs., Presented by Mustang Wrestling Club: Mason Buss (SMSU) over Payton Wayman (MINOT) (Dec 13-8)
197 lbs., Presented by Les Schwab Tires: Shafer Ehmke (MINOT) over Xander Kenworthy (SMSU) (Dec 16-9)
285 lbs., Presented by First Independent Bank: Braxton Rance (MINOT) over Evan Thompson (SMSU) (Dec 4-1)
(MINOT unsportsman -1.0)