MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team (3-5, 2-3 NSIC), coming off a 1-2 weekend after falling to NSIC-opponent, Augustana on Friday and going 1-1 at the York College/Northeast Oklahoma/Southwest Minnesota State Triangular in York, Neb., on Saturday, is set to host No. 17 Minnesota State (6-1, 2-0 NSIC) on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the PE Gym, rescheduled from Jan. 18.
CATCHING UP WITH THE MUSTANGS – The Mustangs started the weekend earning two bout victories in a 27-10 fall to Augustana on Friday. Jackson Ryan (197), who advanced his bout victory win streak to six bout victories this weekend finishing 3-0, and Hunter Pfantz (125) were the lone Mustangs to earn victories in the conference dual.
In York, Neb., SMSU earned four bout victories in the 25-17 fall to Northeast Oklahoma in the first dual of the day before earning a 47-6 victor over York College. In the victory over York, SMSU earned all but one victory, which was a forfeit at 184.
REGIONAL RANKINGS – Four Mustang wrestlers made the cut in the Super Five Region Rankings, released on Jan. 22. Jackson Stauffacher ranks fifth at 133, Robert Shields ranks fifth at 149, Cole Hennen ranks fifth at 184, and Jackson Ryan ranks third at 197.
MINNESOTA STATE— Minnesota State is 6-1 overall and is 2-0 in the NSIC after a weekend sweep of UMary and No. 23 Minot State. MSU was ranked No. 17 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) poll, released on Jan. 22. MSU has three wrestlers ranked in the NWCA Division II Individual Rankings with Kyle Rathman (149) leading the way ranked No. 2, Louie Sanders (141) ranked No. 9, and Zach Johnston (174) ranked No. 10.
Johnston earned NSIC Wrestler of the Week for his second time this season, announced on Monday. Johnston went 2-0 on a weekend facing UMary and No. 23 Minot State. Johnston is 13-4 on the season and ranks No. 10. This is Johnston’s second time receiving this accolade this season after earning the honor on Dec. 9.
MINNESOTA STATE SERIES HISTORY — Minnesota State holds a 29-9 advantage over SMSU in the all-time series, dating back to 1980. SMSU snapped a 22-dual losing streak on Feb. 1, 2014, with a 31-9 victory in Marshall. Since then, SMSU has dropped the last five consecutive duals. MSU has a 12-6 advantage in competition in Marshall. MSU earned a 22-9 victory over SMSU last season on Jan. 26, in Mankato.
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MUSTANG HEAD COACH — Jesse Nelson is in his 13th season as head coach at SMSU in 2019-20. Nelson was named the fourth coach in the program history on Aug. 22, 2007. Nelson, the 2013-14 NSIC Coach of the Year, Nelson has a career dual record of 85-100-1, including 33-60 in conference matches. During his tenure, Nelson has groomed 21 national qualifiers–including four two-time qualifiers and three three-time qualifiers–along with 12 All-NSIC honorees.
UP NEXT — The Mustangs host No. 23 Minot State on Friday at 7 p.m. and UMary on Saturday at 3 p.m., for the final conference weekend of the season, before preparing for the NCAA?Super Regional in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Feb. 29.
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Probable SMSU Lineup
125 Hunter Pfantz
133 Jackson Stauffacher
141 Justin Sampson
149 Robert Shields
157 Nathan Moore
165 Jacob Backlund
174 Hayden Voxland
184 Cole Hennen
197 Jackson Ryan
285 Andrew Petersen
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