Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University wrestling team concluded the regular season with a bang, recording their first NSIC victory of the season with a 24-18 win over Minot State. With the win, the Wolves improve to 5-12 overall and 1-7 in NSIC action.
 
The dual opened at 165 pounds with senior Sean Havlovic returning to the mat for the Wolves after suffering an injury in early January. Havlovic quickly tallied a takedown in the first period, and racked up eight nearfall points. He added a reversal, escape, and takedown in the second taking a 15-2 lead. Havlovic chose top and rolled Parker Osterman earning four more nearfall points and the technical fall victory.
 
Tanner Olson kept the wins rolling at 174 pounds, defeating Keegan Berry in a 4-3 decision. The physical battle saw Olson notched one takedown and two escapes to secure the win. Northern fell in the 184 pound match, however still led 8-3 heading into the fourth match of the evening.
 
Senior Joe Gomez was on the hunt for his 100^th career victory, matching up against Briley Crissler. Gomez quickly got to work scoring five points in the first period. The senior added another four points in the second, however broke things open in the third. Six takedowns and one point of riding time left the final score at 22-8 giving Gomez the major decision for his team, and a career milestone. He is just the 11^th wrestler in Northern State history to record 100 career victories.
 
With the Wolves up 12-3, Harrison Townsend battled Jacob Belland in the 285 pound match. Townsend came out on top, defeating Belland in a 5-0 decision. The Wolves freshman recorded a reversal, takedown, and one point of riding time.
 
Northern fell in the next two weights by forfeit and decision, but still held the 15-12 lead. C.J. Voegeli came to the mat at 141 pounds and tallied his first conference victory of the season. Voegeli defeated Dean Arevalo in a 13-2 major decision. The senior took a 7-2 lead in the first, and tacked on six more points in the second and third to secure the win.
 
For the second straight night it came down to the final match of the evening, as the Wolves led 19-18 after a pin at 149 pounds. Blake Perryman took the challenge and defeated Shane Sheppard in the first two periods. The junior tallied ten points in the opening minutes with a takedown and eight nearfall points. Sheppard chose neutral in the second and Perryman recorded a takedown and a four point nearfall, taking the match in a 17-0 technical fall.
 
The Wolves will travel to the NCAA Super Region Three Tournament next Friday and Saturday from MSU Moorhead. Competition runs throughout the day with a full schedule available on the tournament webpage.