Mankato, Minn. – The No. 25 Northern State University wrestling battled through the first six weights, however fell to No. 9 Minnesota State, 25-9 on Friday evening. The dual was tied at 9-all heading into the 125 bout, however two of the Mavericks strongest wrestlers were still on tap. Northern moves to 6-3 overall and 3-3 in the NSIC following the loss.
 
The opening six matches of the evening all were decided by decision with Northern taking home wins at 165, 197, and 285 pounds. Northern was unable to capitalize in the final four weights of the evening, giving up six points with an open weight at 125 pounds, and falling by major decision and decision in the final three matches.
 
Billy Holtan grabbed the first win of the evening for the Wolves, defeating Logan Saltou in a 6-3 decision. The two wrestlers were scoreless through the first period, with Saltou scoring first on an escape in the second. Holtan moved to his offense notching both a takedown and 2-point nearfall, giving him a 4-1 lead as the period wrapped up. The Maverick battled back in the third, however two more points via escape for Holtan and the 3-point second period lead sealed the victory.
 
Diego Gallegos got back to the winning side of things defeating Dylan Butts in a 6-1 decision. Gallegos was in control most of the match taking a 3-0 lead after an escape and takedown in the second. Butts chose down to begin the third, and did come away with an escape score before Gallegos' second takedown of the bout. He also tacked on a riding time point to close out the period and the match.
 
Caleb Lefferdink followed up the Gallegos win and tied things at 9-all in the dual. The true freshman battled Max Villnow in a high scoring affair. Lefferdink quickly got to work in the first with a takedown just 16 seconds into the match. After a Villnow escape, and tallied his second of four takedowns to close out the period and a 4-1 lead. Lefferdink was scoreless through the second, however opened things up in the third. He ultimately came away with a 10-4 decision win, his first of NSIC action.
 
The Wolves return to action next Saturday, February 1 for their final home dual of the 2018-19 season. NSU will face off against Minot State at 7 p.m. from Wachs Arena.
 
Full Results
Minnesota State 25, Northern State 9
157: Daniel Close (MSU) Wins a 7-4 decision vs Walker Carr (NSU) | 3-0 MSU
165: Billy Holtan (NSU) wins a 6-3 decision vs Logan Saltou (MSU) | 3-3
174: Zach Johnston (MSU) wins a 9-4 decision vs. Tanner Wiese (NSU) | 6-3 MSU
184: Trevor Turriff (MSU) Wins 9-3 decision vs Kaden Campbell (NSU) | 9-3 MSU
197: Diego Gallegos (NSU) wins a 6-1 decision vs Dylan Butts (MSU) | 9-6 MSU
285: Caleb Lefferdink (NSU) wins a 10-4 decision vs Max Villnow (MSU) | 9-9
125: Andrew McFall (MSU) wins via forfeit | 15-9
133: George Farmah (MSU) wins an 11-3 major decision vs Kenny Jones (NSU) | 19-9 MSU
141: Louie Sanders (MSU) wins an 8-6 decision vs Kolton Roth (NSU) | 22-9 MSU
149: Kyle Rathman (MSU) wins a 10-3 decision vs Caden Moore (NSU) | 25-9