MINOT, N.D. – The Beaver seniors did just what you expect seniors to do: Lead the way with wins.
Wayne Joint,
Cannon Potts, and
Jake Swirple each got their hand raised after a victory on Monday night, leading the charge for the Minot State men's wrestling team, but it wasn't quite enough as visiting Minnesota State, Mankato won the NSIC dual 31-14 at the MSU Dome.
Minot State (2-2 duals, 0-2 NSIC) is back in action on the road this weekend, competing in a dual hosted by Bismarck State College on Saturday.
Monday's match started out close as the visiting Mavericks (6-1, 3-0) got an early win by pin, but the Beavers bounced right back thanks to Joint at 133 pounds as he racked up five takedowns on his way to a 17-2 technical fall victory over Chase Beckett.
Looking to build off that win,
Ethan Wonser turned in a great effort in his 141-pound match with Colton Hush as the two battled even through seven minutes of action, deadlocked 4-4.
But in sudden-death overtime, Hush scored a quick takedown and a 4-point near fall to claim the victory and ignite the Mavericks, who won the next five matches as well to take a commanding 31-5 lead in the dual.
With the team win out of reach, Beaver seniors Potts and Swirple hunkered down and battled for Minot State in the final two bouts.
Potts scored a win by pin in 2 minutes, 28 seconds over Grant Cook at 197 pounds, then Swirple fought his way to a 7-0 shutout decision against Tanner Gaffey at 285 pounds, giving the Beavers a satisfying finish to the day and the final 9 team points of the dual.
