Mankato, Minn. – Minnesota State's captains Walker Bents (149-lb.), Caleb Meunier (157-lb.), and Drake Hayward (174-lb.) led the Mavericks with first place finishes at the Pointer Open in Stevens Point, Wis.
 
Bents, a sophomore transfer from NDSU, went against Timothy McGuire (Wisconsin-Parkside), ending in a 21-8 major decision. Bents also won his quarter- and semifinal matches by major decisions.
 
A junior from Winneconne, Wis., Meunier started the Open with two quick falls to advance to the quarterfinals. After a close 2-0 decision win in the semifinals, Meunier beat Gavin Model (Wisconsin) by a 20-10 major decision.
 
Hayward, a redshirt-junior from Neenah, Wis., won each match by fall before the third period. In the championship match, Hayward faced Evan Morris (Maryville), pinning Morris at 2:33.
 
Taking third place at the Pointer Open were red-shirt freshman transfer Paolo Salminen (157-lb.) and senior Isaiah Mlsna (149-lb.). Salminen, with a 5-1 record on the day, recorded a tech fall (20-3) to start the day, three falls, and won the third-place match by a 15-3 major decision. The senior from St. Michael, Minn., Mlsna worked his way through decision after decision, reaching the third place match and won by a 12-3 major decision.
 
Placing fourth at the Pointer Open were freshman Jacob Fitzpatrick (125-lb.) and redshirt-sophomore Chase Beckett (133-lb.). Also placing was redshirt-sophomores Kain Sanders (149-lb.) in sixth and Jett Thoreson (157-lb.) as the consolation bracket champion.
 
Newcomers Kaleb Lochner, a 165-lb. freshman from Zumbroto, Minn., and Callen Smithpeter, from Lees Summit, Mo. at 285-lb., took second place at the Yellow Jacket Open in Rochester, Minn. Both wrestlers received a bye the first round, with Lochner getting an 11-0 major decision to start his day, and Smithpetter winning by fall in the second round and in the semifinals.
 
Sophomores Grant Cook (184-lb.) and Brian Thilges (197-lb.) placed fourth, with Evan Farley (184-lb.) placing fifth. Taking sixth place were freshman Derrick Steinke (197-lb.) and sophomore Makota Misgen (285-lb.).
 
Other wrestlers that traveled and wrestled at the opens where redshirt-sophomore Aden Welcome, freshmen Cael Morrow and Connor Crumer, and sophomore Andrew Weiss.
 
Head coach Jim Makovsky commented on the days successes, "Exciting weekend to get the season started. The day was highlighted by our three champions. Overall, it was good to get the season kicked off and evaluate the areas we are doing well and highlight the areas we need improvement. We gained some valuable experience this weekend that will help us prepare for our dual meet portion of the season."
 
"By following our game plan, staying healthy, and trusting our leaders, we're moving in the right direction. If we maintain this focus, our team is ready for a successful season," said Assistant Coach Bryce Andrews after traveling with the Yellow Jacket squad.
 
The Mavericks continue their pre-season schedule on Saturday, Nov. 9^th and the Luther Open in Decorah, Iowa.