MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State wrestling travels to Cedar Falls, Iowa for competition in the NWCA National Duals on Friday, Jan. 9 (Northern Iowa hosts). The bracketed tournament features Division II teams from across the region.
 
The Mavericks (6-1) start with No. 12 Grand Valley State at 2 p.m. CT at UNI Dome. Based on results, MSU will see No. 3 Parkside or West Liberty in the following round.
 
Matches can be watched on FloWrestling ($). The Mavericks return home to host Minot State on January 18 at Taylor Center.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Mavericks upended No. 21 Upper Iowa in Fayette on Jan. 3. Individuals won eight matches, dropping UIU to 1-1 on the season. In total, the Mavericks won two matches via fall, three by major decision and three via decision.
 
Sophomore Colton Hush (141 lbs.) notched his fourth win via fall this season, while senior Drake Hayward (174 lbs.) recorded his sixth win via fall. Hush scored his fall win over UIU's Tanner Arjes at 6:14, while Hayward bested Lucas Henderson at 3:30.

The trio of junior Walker Bents (149 lbs.), senior Caleb Meunier (157 lbs.) and sophomore Paolo Salminen won their matches via major decisions. Bents defeated Owen Denstad 19-6 to secure his sixth major decision win of the season, before Meunier notched his fourth with a 19-9 win over Preston Klostermann. Salminen's 17-5 win over Nick Muller secured his third major decision on the season as well.

Sophomore Jesus Gonzalez (285 lbs.), sophomore Jacob Fitzpatrick (125 lbs.) and junior Chase Beckett (133 lbs.) each won their matches via decision as well. Gonzalez posted a 6-2 win over Hunter Bye, before Fitzpatrick defeated Treyton Ackman 10-4. Beckett bested Dawson Schmit 9-6.
 
SCOUTING THE LAKERS (2-2)
Grand Valley State heads to Iowa after a 45-0 win over Olivet on December 18 at home. The Lakers won three of five matches at the NWCA National Duals last season to finish sixth. GVSU bested No. 16 UMary 20-17 but fell in their final match to No. 2 Parkside 43-3.
 
Grand Valley State finished the 2024-25 season 10-6 overall, including second at the NCAA Super Region 5 tournament and 14^th at the NCAA Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana.