Sioux Falls, S.D. – The Northern State University wrestling team went 1-2 from the second annual South Dakota Showcase. The Wolves fell to South Dakota State (28-8) and Augustana (19-18), and defeated Dakota Wesleyan (36-15) from the Sanford Pentagon. The weekend leaves NSU with a 1-2 dual record heading into the bulk of the season.
 
South Dakota State Dual
 
The Wolves tallied three match victories against the No. 20 Jackrabbits of South Dakota State. Matthew Leier notched the first victory of the day, defeating Tyler Pieper in a 6-3 decision to tie things at 3-all. With the Wolves trailing heading into the 157 pound match, Blake Perryman battled hard for his first victory of the day. Perryman defeated Colin Holler in a 6-4 decision. Although the Jacks had secured the dual victory, Northern State senior Joe Gomez returned for a 7-6 decision victory over Zac Carlson.
 
Results:
125: Ben Gillette (SDSU) dec. Richard Casillas (NSU), 6-1
133: Matthew Leier (NSU) dec. Tyler Pieper (SDSU), 6-3
141: Isaac Andrade (SDSU) major dec. Matt Bettencourt (NSU), 12-3
149: Alex Kocer (SDSU) tech. fall Tyler Stenberg (NSU), 15-0 (5:04)
157: Blake Perryman (NSU) dec. Colin Holler (SDSU), 6-4
165: Luke Zilverberg (SDSU) dec. Sean Havlovic, 8-1
174: David Kocer (SDSU) major dec. Tanner Olson, 16-3
184: Martin Mueller (SDSU) def. David Murphy (NSU) by fall (2:34)
197: Joe Gomez (NSU) dec. Zac Carlson (SDSU), 7-6
285: Alex Macki (SDSU) dec. Harrison Townsend (NSU), 6-1
Note: Northern State deducted one team point for unsportsmanlike conduct
 
Augustana Dual
 
It was a back and forth battled between the NSIC opponents as the Wolves kept the Vikings on their toes throughout the dual. Northern tallied five match victories, and fell by only one point despite giving up 6-points at 197 pounds due to a team forfeit.
 
Richard Casillas opened completion with a 17-0 tech fall victory over Javier Vieyra. The Wolves freshmen finished Vieyra off in the seventh minute of the match, earning five points for the team. Augie answered back with two wins at 133 and 141 pounds before Tyler Stenberg regained the NSU lead. Stenberg defeated Colin Ayers in an 8-2 decision.
 
Perryman kept the wins rolling for the Wolves with his second victory of the day, a 6-5 decision over Bailey Neises. NSU rattled off two more victories at 165 and 174 pounds to take a commanding lead over the Vikings. Sean Havlovic defeated Bruce Lemon in a 12-0 major decision, while Tanner Olson topped Mitch Rechtzigel in an 8-5 decision.
 
Augustana secured the victory in the final three duals of competition with two decision victories and a forfeit.
 
Results:
125: Richard Casillas (NSU) tech. fall Javier Vieyra (AU), 17-0 (7:00)
133: Morgan Engbrecht (AU) dec. Matthew Leier (NSU), 6-4
141: Austin Jordan (AU) dec. Matt Bettencourt (NSU), 7-2
149: Tyler Stenberg (NSU) dec. Colin Ayers (AU), 8-2
157: Blake Perryman (NSU) dec. Bailey Neises (AU), 6-5
165: Sean Havlovic (NSU) major dec. Bruce Lemon (AU), 12-0
174: Tanner Olson (NSU) dec. Mitch Rechtzigel (AU), 8-5
184: Aero Amo (AU) dec. David Murphy (NSU), 9-3
197: Ben Goodwin (AU) won by forfeit
285: Michael Lowman (AU) major dec. Sam Schaunaman (NSU), 11-3
 
Dakota Wesleyan Dual
 
After two tough matches to open the day, the Wolves bounced back for a third dual victory over Dakota Wesleyan. Northern opened the dual with two forfeit victories. Matt Bettencourt followed with his first win of the day, defeating Kevin Lopez in a 4-0 decision.
 
Despite two losses at 159 and 157 pounds, Blake Perryman defeated Zach Westergard by fall at 2:14 in the 165 pound match. Sean Havlovic followed at 174 pounds with his second victory, defeating Tanner Wernsman by fall at 1:02. Harrison Townsend capped off the day for the Wolves with a 6-2 decision win over Trevor Peter.
 
Results:
125: Richard Casillas (NSU) won by forfeit
133: Matthew Leier (NSU) won by forfeit
141: Matt Bettencourt (NSU) dec. Kevin Lopez, 4-0
149: Sjon Snitiliy (DWU) def. Kaiden Dorris (NSU) by injury default
157: Alex Osborne (DWU) def. Ben Fichter (NSU) by fall (2:14)
165: Blake Perryman (NSU) def. Zach Westergard (DWU) by fall (0:59)
174: Sean Havlovic (NSU) def. Tanner Wernsman (DWU) by fall (1:02)
184: Tanner Olson (NSU) won by forfeit
197: Matt Schirado (DWU) dec. David Murphy (NSU), 8-2
285: Harrison Townsend (NSU) dec. Trevor Peter (DWU), 6-2
 
The Wolves will return to action this Thursday in the 2016-17 home opener. Northern will face off against Concordia-Moorhead, at 7 p.m. from Wachs Arena.