PHOENIX, Ariz.- The transition to NCAA Division II has been an uphill battle for the Minot State University wrestling team.

The road was very steep Saturday at the Grand Canyon University duals in Phoenix, Ariz. MISU lost all four duals, three of which were against nationally ranked teams.

The Beavers opened the duals against a very tough No. 17 Colorado Mesa University team. CMU used their speed and strength to beat MISU 45-3. Marcus Polak (So., 165, Minot, N.D.) wrestled a tough match but fell in overtime 7-5.

Matt Fetterley (Jr., 174, Muskegon, Mich.) continued his strong season, with an impressive 16-10 decision over Chuck Lueth of CMU. Fetterley was the only Beaver to score team points in the loss.

Looking to bounce back in dual two, the Beavers took on the Chadron State College Eagles. CSC entered the duals with the same record as the Beavers, 1-2.
Minot State wrestled better, winning three matches of the dual, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough to get the win as they fell 33-9. Marcus Wilson (Sr., 157, Colorado Springs, Colo.) put the Beavers on the board with a 12-8 decision at 149.

“I think Marcus Polak and Marcus Wilson wrestled pretty well,” said MISU head coach Robin Ersland. “We knew it was going to be tough competition down there.”

Polak and Fetterley each picked up wins, bringing the score to 18-9 with three weight classes left to wrestle; Minot State was within striking distance.

Following two straight wins, the Beavers were pinned twice in a row, putting a win out of reach.

Things did not get better in matches three and four. The Beavers lost to Western State Colorado University 38-6 and to No. 6 Grand Canyon University 45-6.

“We did hope to compete a little better,” said Ersland. “No excuses, but we are still missing a couple guys due to injury.”

Minot State will now prepare for the NWCA National Duals in Springfield, Ill. on Jan. 12 & 13.

Colorado Mesa 45, Minot State 3
125- John Stelling, CMU, wins by forfeit
133- Tyler Nelson, CMU, def. Joshua Douglas 8-4
141- Drew Schumann, CMU, pinned Flynn Stormer 2:17
149- Justin Schumacher, CMU, pinned Marcus Wilson 1:14
157- Jon Gappmaier, CMU, def.  Marcus Polak 7-5, OT
165- Dylan Granard, CMU, def. Jean Augustin 5-3
174- Matt Fetterley, MISU, def. Chuck Lueth 16-10
184- Nick Peterson, CMU, wins by forfeit
197- Jordan Passehl, CMU, pinned Devon Flores 2:25
285- Paco Retana, CMU, pinned Bobby Bartz 3:42

Chadron State 33, Minot State 9
125- Jace Johnson, CSC, wins by forfeit
133- Perry McAfee, CSC, def. Joshua Douglas 3-1
141- Leandro Arias, CSC, pinned Flynn Stormer :12
149- Marcus Wilson, MISU, def. Reed Burgener 12-8
157- Marcus Polak, MISU, def. Bryce Wiedeman 8-4
165- Dylan Fors, CSC, def. Eric O'Neill 9-6
174- Matt Fetterley, MISU, def. Devan Fors 6-2
184- Jordan Debus, CSC, pinned Ricards Avakovs 3:16
197- Chris Leak, CSC, pinned Devon Flores 6:13
285- Mike Hill, CSC, def. Bobby Bartz 8-1
 
Western State 38, Minot State 6
125- Dustin Stiegemeyer, WSCU, wins by forfeit
133- C.J. York, WSCU, def. Joshua Douglas 4-2
141- Cody Cole, WSCU, pinned Flynn Stormer 2:46
149- Marcus Wilson, MISU, def. Brandon Montoya 3-2
157- Marcus Polak, MISU, def. Shawn Seppala 8-3
165- Austin Harris, WSCU, def. Eric O'Neill 8-2
174- Elliot Copeland, WSCU, def. Matt Fetterley 16-6
184- Kyle Piatt, WSCU, pinned Jean Augustin 1:56
197- Sam Magnum, WSCU, wins by forfeit
285- Kyle Graulus, WSCU, def. Bobby Bartz 9-1
 
Grand Canyon 45, Minot State 6
125- Kyle McCrite, GCU, wins by forfeit
133- Lino Estrada, GCU, def. Joshua Douglas 13-2
141- Mike Hamel, GCU, pinned Flynn Stormer :52
149- Marcus Wilson, MISU, def. Chayse Jackson 5-3
157- Marcus Polak, MISU, def. Austen Moore 4-3
165- Ryan Miller, GCU, inj. def. Jean Augustin
174- Justin Martin, GCU, pinned Matt Fetterley 2:01
184- Marcus Haughian, GCU, pinned Devon Flores 6:24
197- Aurel Dan, GCU, wins by forfeit
285- Peter Anguiano, GCU, def. Bobby Bartz 20-5