MINOT, N.D. – It's been two months since the Beavers hit the home mats, but the Minot State men's wrestling team is now ready to put on a show for its loyal fans.
The Beavers start a four-match home-stand Thursday night when Minot State hosts Minnesota State Moorhead at 7 p.m. in an NSIC dual.
And it should be a great battle between the Beavers (5-5 duals, 0-2 NSIC) and the Dragons (1-5, 0-4), two teams who have seen plenty of each other over the proceeding months at tournaments, including MSU Moorhead's own Dragon Open in December.
Minot State has gotten the best of that head-to-head action with the Beavers 10-2 against MSU Moorhead wrestlers who are slated to compete in the teams' dual Thursday night.
Heavyweight
Jake Swirple has one of those Beaver wins and will be one of Minot State's wrestlers to watch this weekend as he is ranked No. 8 in the nation by the NWCA and is 9-1 on the season with his only collegiate setback an injury default.
One of the many Beavers to watch Thursday, though, as
Oscar Nellis heads into the 125-pound match with a 9-2 record this season,
Cannon Potts is 10-2 at 174 pounds,
Brendan Barnes is 13-5 at 165 pounds, and
Dustin Swisher is 11-6 at 197 pounds.
Just a few of the standouts for Minot State, which will take a few days off after the Thursday home dual before renewing its in-state rivalry with the University of Mary on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the MSU Dome.
The two teams squared off earlier this season in a non-conference dual on Dec. 11 in Bismarck, N.D., a match-up won by the 11
th-ranked Marauders, 25-6.
Swirple picked a 2-1 decision and
Kelby Armstrong (149) – who is not slated to compete this weekend – earned Minot State's other win that day against Mary.
Along with being highly ranked as a team, the Marauders (9-1, 2-0) boast four individual wrestlers ranked in the NWCA Top 12 at their respective weight classes in Max Bruss (3rd at 174), Reece Barnhardt (4th at 133), Braydon Huber (9th at 165), and Matt Kaylor (12th at 197).
