Fayette, Iowa --- After concluding their five-match home stand on Thursday, the #15 Mavericks will next head to Upper Iowa on Saturday, with a dual against the #8 Peacocks.  Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
 
Upper Iowa comes into the dual sporting an 11-1 record, while going 4-0 against conference opponents.  Minnesota State is currently 8-2, also going 4-0 on the year in conference action. The winner of the dual on Saturday will take over sole possession of first-place in the NSIC. 
 
There will be several matches to highlight in the dual.  Alphonso Vruno (Sr., 141 lbs.), who is currently ranked third in NCAA DII Super Region 3, will square off against the fifth-ranked wrestler in the region, Jordan Roths. Vruno holds a 12-5 record, while Roths is 20-9. 
 
#2 Matt Mincey (R-Sr., 157 lbs.), who is an undefeated 17-0 this year, will face Jordan Rinken, who is 13-1 on the season.  Upper Iowa is led by their one ranked wrestler, Zak Benitz, who comes in ranked sixth at 165-pounds and sports a 26-6 record.
 
#8 Adam Cooling (Jr., 174 lbs.) will go up against Colbey Vance, who stands at 23-5 on the year.  Cooling is coming off a big 3-1 overtime victory over Tim Weber (Augustana). At 184-pounds, #8 Scott VanDeLoo (Sr., 184 lbs.), who comes into Saturday ranked second in the region, will face the third ranked wrestler in the region, Dalton Westerlund. 
 
The Mavericks will look to defeat the Peacocks after coming up short the last two seasons.  A season ago, Upper Iowa defeated Minnesota State by a final score of 27-10. 
 
Following Saturday's dual, the team will next compete on Saturday, February 6 as the team concludes their 2015-16 home schedule with a matchup against the #2 Huskies of St. Cloud State. That dual will be in the afternoon and is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
 
For live video of Saturday's dual, click HERE.