Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University wrestling team kicks off the 2016-17 dual season this Sunday from the Sanford Pentagon and the SD Showcase. The Wolves will face off against South Dakota State, Augustana, and Dakota Wesleyan beginning at 12 p.m. versus the Jackrabbits.
The Wolves are coming off three open tournaments which began the 2016-17 season. From the SDSU Daktronics Open,
Tyler Stenberg led the team with fifth place finish at 149 pounds. The senior was the top NSIC finisher from the open, earning wrestler of the week status. Stenberg is currently 5-2 in 2016-17.
Blake Perryman was the top finisher from the DWU Open in week two, taking second at 157 pounds. The junior defeated NSIC opponents Adam Knutson (SMSU) and Tyler Nation (AU). The Wolves capped off the open season with Perryman and
Sean Havlovic winning their respective weights at the Concordia Moorhead Finn Grianker open. Perryman went 3-0 on the day defeating two members of the St. Cloud State team in route to the championship. He is currently 9-3 this season. Havlovic went 4-0 with victories over St. Cloud State wrestlers Gabe Fogarty and Josh Berg, and NDSU Bison Nick Knutson. After taking off in week two, Havlovic is 9-2 this season.
Northern will look to see
Joe Gomez return to the mat, after an injury suffered in the opening week of the season. Gomez placed sixth from the Dak Open, but was unable to wrestle the fifth place match. Northern has seen success from freshman
Kenny Jones and
Harrison Townsend who are 2-1 and 3-5 this season, and have the potential to wrestle on Sunday. Freshman also looking to wrestle in their first collegiate dual are
Richard Casillas,
Matthew Leier, and
Kaiden Dorris.
About the Jackrabbits
- South Dakota State enters the weekend with a 1-1 record in duals this season after a win over Iowa State and a loss to Minnesota.
- The Jackrabbits went 14-6 last season and qualified a school-record five wrestlers for the NCAA Championships.
- SDSU is led by head coach Chris Bono in his fifth season with the program.
Last Season from the Showcase
- The Wolves fell to the Division I Jackrabbits 36-12 in the second dual of the day
- Carson Henry opened competition with a win by fall at 125 pounds
- Voegeli and Gomez each tallied decision victories over Fitzgerald and Schwery
About the Vikings
- Augustana, like the Wolves, will open the dual season from the Showcase.
- The Vikings went 18-6 last season, finishing fourth in the NSIC.
- They return Aero Amo at 184 pounds, after qualifying for the NCAA National Championships in 2015-16.
- The Vikings are led by head coach Jason Reitmeier in his 14th season with the program where he has tallied a record of 153-69 in duals.
Last Season from the Showcase
- The Wolves fell to the Vikings 31-12 in the first dual of the day in 2015-16
- C.J. Voegeli tallied the team's first points with a pin of Peterson, leaving the score at 7-6 Augustana
- Sean Havlovic kept the Wolves in contention with a decision victory over Lemon
- Joe Gomez tallied the team's final victory defeating Wahlstrom by decision
About the Tigers
- DWU will kick-off the dual season from the Showcase after competing in three open tournaments.
- Dakota Wesleyan went 1-16 overall in 2015-16 with their lone win coming against St. Olaf.
- They sent two wrestlers to the NAIA National Championships a season ago as well.
- The Tigers are led by head coach Nick Hutcheson in his second season with the program.
Last Season from the Showcase
- The Wolves defeated the Tigers 38-12 to cap off competition
- The dual began with three forfeits at 125, 133, and 141 pounds
- Voegeli, Steen, Navarro, and Gomez each notched decision victories
