Marshall, Minn. – The Minnesota State wrestling team defeated Southwest Minnesota State 27-6 in their final dual of the season Friday evening.
With the win the Mavericks finished their dual season with an overall record of 7-4 and tallied a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference mark of 5-3.
Matthew Blome was the first Minnesota State wrestler to take the mat Friday evening with the dual starting at the 197-pound weight class. Blome picked up where he left off Thursday evening, gaining a pin against Jack Ryan at the 5:00 mark and putting the Mavericks up 6-0 early. Blome now leads the team with six falls this season.
At heavyweight, Chris Zimmer took his match into a second sudden victory period against Ben Thompson. Zimmer earned the decisive takedown after more than nine minutes on the mat to defeat Thompson 4-2. Andrew McFall continued the momentum gained by Blome and Zimmer and won his 15th match of the season at 125-pounds with a 4-1 decision over Taylor Curtis. George Farmah cut his opponent loose late in the 133-pound match to secure multiple takedowns in the final period and gain a 13-3 major decision for Minnesota State.
Louie Sanders gave the Mavericks a 19-0 lead after five matches with a narrow 12-10 decision over Trent Butcher. Butcher scored late in the match, but a critical takedown by Sanders sealed his victory in the final two minutes. With the win Sanders is now 16-7 this season and 6-3 in duals.
The Mavericks and Mustangs would trade decision victories in the next three weight classes. After dropping a decision at 149-pounds, Daniel Close rebounded for Minnesota State with a 4-2 decision of his own at 157-pounds. Close ranks third among Minnesota State wrestlers with 17 wins this season.
With the Mavericks holding a 22-6 lead over SMSU, Zach Johnston took a 3-1 lead over Griffin Osing into the third period of his match at 174-pounds. Johnston defended a late shot attempt by Osing to take the decision for Minnesota State and win his sixth straight match. Corey Abernathy gained Minnesota State's eighth victory of the night with a 4-0 decision in the final match of the evening. Abernathy now holds a 15-4 record for the Mavericks and finished 8-3 in duals.
Minnesota State will have a short layoff before they head to St. Cloud, Minn., to take part in the NCAA Division II Super Region 3 Tournament Feb. 23, through Feb. 24.
No. 16 Minnesota State 27, Southwest Minnesota State 6
197: #9 Matt Blome (MSU) Fall over Jack Ryan (SMSU) 5:00 | MSU 6-0 SMSU
285: Chris Zimmer (MSU) dec. over Ben Thompson (SMSU) SV2 4-2 | MSU 9-0 SMSU
125: Andrew McFall (MSU) dec. over Taylor Curtis (SMSU) 4-1 | MSU 12-0 SMSU
133: George Farmah (MSU) Major dec. over Brock Buysse (SMSU) 13-3 | MSU 16-0 SMSU
141: Louie Sanders (MSU) dec. over Trent Butcher (SMSU) 12-10 | MSU 19-0 SMSU
149: Justin Haneke (SMSU) dec. over #11 Kyle Rathman (MSU) 6-4 | MSU 19-3 SMSU
157: Daniel Close (MSU) dec. over Cortez Arredondo (SMSU) 4-2 | MSU 22-3 SMSU
165: Keegan Fingalsen (SMSU) dec. over Dylan Herman (MSU) 6-3 | MSU 22-6 SMSU
174: #7 Zach Johnston (MSU) dec. over Griffin Osing (SMSU) 3-1 | MSU 25-6 SMSU
Unsportsmanlike MSU -1 Team Point | MSU 24-6 SMSU
184: #6 Corey Abernathy (MSU) dec. over Cole Hennen (SMSU) 4-0 | MSU 27-6 SMSU
