Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University wrestling team battled Thursday evening, coming away with a 22-16 victory over Southwest Minnesota State. The win over the Mustangs was the first for the Wolves since the 2009-10 season. Northern has now won 4-straight, improving to 5-1 overall, 3-1 in the NSIC, and 4-0 from the confines of Wachs Arena.
For the second dual in a row, Northern State rattled off victories in the opening four weight classes, taking a swift 16-0 lead over the Mustangs.
Dayne Morton opened the dual with an 11-3 major decision win over Willie Meine. The Wolves freshman dominated throughout the match with four takedowns, one reversal, and a riding time point.
It was a low scoring affair between
Kenny Jones and Brock Buysse at 133-pounds, with two scoreless periods to open the match. Jones did however rack up exactly two minutes of riding time in the second period, which proved to be the decisive point in the match. The Wolves sophomore scored first in the third with an escape. Buysse answered back with a takedown taking the 2-1 lead, before Jones was able to break free again. His second period riding time held, and Jones tallied his second win of the season.
No. 6
Kolton Roth went down early in the first period, trailing Riley Altenburg 4-1. Roth took the match into his own hands in the second with a takedown and 4-point nearfall, giving the freshman a 7-4 lead. Altenburg would not go down easily with a reversal and penalty point to tie the match at 7-all heading into the third. Roth fought for a takedown to open the final period, and stuck to his game planning of wearing his opponent down. He got Altenburg into a cradle and sealed Northern's second extra point victory at 5:35 in the match with a pin.
No. 10
Caden Moore came out blazing in the 149-pound bout getting straight to work. The freshman led 2-1 through the first, and tacked on another two points in the second. Justin Haneke battled back, but Moore ran away with the match in the third. Starting the final two minutes on bottom, Moore notched an escape and takedown for a 7-3 lead. Haneke did respond with a reversal, however a penalty point in Moore's favor and a takedown led to his 18
th victory of the season. He defeated Haneke with a final score of 10-5.
Northern fell in the following three weight classes at 157, 165, and 174 pounds, by major decision, decision, and injury forfeit.
Kaden Campbell was up for the Wolves at 184-pounds with the scoreboard reading 16-13 in their favor. Campbell was a hammer on top for NSU, recording over 3-minutes of riding time in the bout. The senior tallied a takedown in both the first and second period for the 4-0 lead. He recorded a stalling point and riding time point in the third, coming away with a 5-1 decision win over Cole Hennen.
Diego Gallegos bounced back from his loss a week ago, shutting out Ben Thompson in the Wolves sixth and final victory of the evening. The sophomore's 6-0 win sealed the dual victory for the Wolves with a 9-point lead heading into the final weight. Gallegos tallied a takedown, reversal, stalling point, and riding time point in the win.
The Wolves will now hit the road for three duals in Minnesota beginning next Friday, January 18 at Saint John's University. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m. from Collegeville, versus the Johnnies.
