MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State wrestling team were in control as they downed MSU Moorhead by a score of 36-9 at Taylor Center Friday evening.

With the win the Mavericks improved to 5-1 overall and have a perfect Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference record of 3-0. The Dragons fell to 1-4 overall and hold an NSIC record of 0-2.

Andrew McFall started the night off for Minnesota State at the 125 pound weight class. The sophomore from Oswego, Ill. reversed a 3-0 deficit to defeat Cole Jones by an 8-5 decision. George Farmah gave the Mavericks a 8-0 lead over MSU Moorhead after two matches, gaining a 16-0 technical fall in 3:39.

The Dragons brought the team score within two, at 8-6, with a fall victory at 141 pounds. The Mavericks bounced back by winning the next three matches. Kyle Rathman  won his 18th match of the season by a score of 16-1. Daniel Close won an 16-0 technical fall for his 13th win of the year and is now 7-0 against division II opponents. Seth Elwood followed with a 6-0 decision over Weston Dobler to make the team score 21-6.

Zach Johnston trailed #8 Adam Blees 4-3 in the second period of their 174 pound match-up. Johnson scored a late takedown in the second period at the edge of the mat to take a 5-4 advantage. Johnston went on to upset the nationally ranked wrestler by an 8-6 decision.

The Mavericks All-American duo of Corey Abernathy and Matthew Blome each secured pins over their MSU Moorhead opponents. Abernathy defeated Mitchell Kotschevar in 1:48 while Blome turned a reversal into six team points, topping Preston Lehmann in 3:12.

Chris Zimmer  took his match against Jordan Magnuson into overtime after the two were deadlocked 1-1 after seven minutes on the mat. Zimmer looked for a takedown in the extra time but ultimately dropped a 3-1 decision in the final match of the evening.

Minnesota State will next travel to Fayette, Iowa. to face Upper Iowa Jan. 19th at 7:00 p.m.

Watch head Coach Jim Makovsky's post dual interview below.

 

Minnesota State 36, MSU Moorhead 9
125: Andrew McFall (MSU) Dec. over Cole Jones (MSUM) 8-5 | MSU 3 – MSUM 0
133: George Farmah (MSU) Tech. Fall over Seth Hutchison (MSUM) 16-0 | MSU 8- MSUM 0
141: Zach Scott (MSUM) Fall over Louie Sanders (MSU) 5:28 | MSU 8 – MSUM 6
149: Kyle Rathman (MSU) Tech. Fall over Riley Byklum (MSUM) 16-1 | MSU 13 – MSUM 6
157: Daniel Close (MSUM) Tech Fall. over Nicholas Erbes (MSUM) 16-0 | MSU 18-6  MSUM
165: Seth Elwood (MSU) Dec. over Weston Dobler (MSUM) 6-0 | MSU 21 – 6 MSUM
174: Zach Johnston (MSU) Dec. over Adam Blees (MSUM) 8-6 | MSU 24 – MSUM 6
184: Corey Abernathy (MSU) Fall. over Mitchell Kotschevar (MSUM) 1:48 | MSU 30 - 6 MSUM
197: Matt Blome (MSU) Fall. over Preston Lehmann (MSUM) 3:12 | MSU 36 – 6 MSUM
285: Jordan Magnuson (MSUM) Dec. over Chris Zimmer (MSU) 3-1 | MSU 36 – 9 MSUM