MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State wrestling (1-0) will travel to Minot, N.D. to face the Minot State Beavers on Saturday at 2:00 p.m., before heading to Bismarck, N.D., on Sunday for a dual against the Marauders at 2:00 p.m.

The Mavericks will enter the duals with momentum after defeating Saint John's in their first dual of the season last Thursday by a score of 36-9, and finishing first in five brackets at the Buena Vista Open Saturday. Five Minnesota State wrestlers finished the week 5-0 with titles at the BVU open including Louie Sanders, Kyle Rathman , Daniel Close, Zach Johnston, and Corey Abernathy. Rathman currently leads the team in wins, with an overall record of 14-2, while Abernathy is the highest ranked wrestler on the team, fourth nationally, and is tied for a team-high in tech fall victories with three. The Mavericks defeated both Minot State and the University of Mary a season ago with final scores of 36-6 and 33-7, respectively.

The Minot State Beavers are currently 1-4 in dual matches this season. The Beavers opened the season with a 21-15 loss to the University of Mary, and went 1-3 at the Battle of the Rockies, picking up a victory over Eastern Oregon University. Minot State is coached by Evan Forde in his third season.

The University of Mary enters the weekend as the #23 team in the nation. The Marauders are 1-0 with a 33-12 victory over the #21 team from NCAA DIII Concordia. Five of their seven wins in the victory over Concordia came from bonus point victories. U-Mary wrestler Rudy Guillen is the only Marauder ranked nationally. Guillen is rated second at 149. The Marauders are coached by Adam Aho.

After the weekend the Mavericks will have a short break before returning to Taylor Center on January, 6, for the Maverick Duals.

For live video vs. Minot State, click HERE.

For live video vs. University of Mary, click HERE.