Aberdeen, S.D. – The No. 17 Northern State wrestling team (5-5, 1-4 NSIC) was unable to upset No. 8 Upper Iowa (11-2, 4-0 NSIC), falling 22-13 for their third straight defeat.
The night began with the 165-weight class, where James Burks looked like he'd get a decision win over Chance Bronson. Instead, Burks blitzed his opponent with less than 10 seconds remaining for another takedown and four additional points off a Near Fall, securing a 16-4 major decision for the Wolves.
Tanner Weise followed up that impressive performance with a massive win of his own. After three drawn out periods the score was knotted up at 1-1, sending the match to overtime where Weise quickly scored a takedown, finishing off a 3-1 Sudden Victory over Dalton Nelson and giving Northern State a 7-0 lead.
The fans in Wachs Arena, who had done plenty of cheering already, weren't able to catch their breath anytime soon. Up next was the most anticipated match of the night, between No. 11 Marcus Placide and No. 10 Dalton Hahn. Placide had full control for most of the dual, eventually coming out with a 3-0 decision victory to open up a 10-0 dual lead.
Despite being at a double-digit deficit, Upper Iowa wasted no time coming back. At 197, Diego Gallegos fell to Nick Baumler in a 12-4 major decision, and just before the intermission Caleb Lefferdink lost by fall to Triston Westerlund, bringing the score to 10-10 at the intermission.
Upper Iowa's impressive run continued after the break, as Philip Ihde and Justin Folley defeated Landen Fischer by a 5-3 decision at 125, and Dayne Morton by an 8-2 decision at 133, respectively. Kenny Jones kept it within reach for the Wolves, defeating Tate Murty in a 10-3 decision at 141, bringing the dual score to 13-16 with two matches remaining.
Northern wasn't able to capitalize however, as No. 8 Caden Moore was defeated by Chase Luensman at 149 in a 10-6 decision, and Bryan Burnett was defeated by Mac Spotts at 157 in a 6-2 decision. Despite their best efforts early in the dual, the Wolves were unable to keep up the momentum for the upset.
The Wolves put together two decisions, one major decision and one sudden victory, while giving up four decisions, one major decision and one fall to Upper Iowa.
The Wolves will have to put this loss behind them quickly, as they return to action tomorrow to play the University of Mary. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. from Wachs Arena on January 18.