Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Minot High junior Stephen Schulze (left) maneuvers against Dickinson sophomore Houston Crimmins during Thursday's match in Minot. Schulze earned three points after his sudden victory.

Former president Theodore Roosevelt once used the phrase “speak softly and carry a big stick” when describing his foreign policy.

Minot High School junior Stephen Schulze heeded Roosevelt’s words on Thursday night. Schulze picked up three key points for Minot (5-0, 5-0 WDA) as the Magicians earned a 47-15 victory over Dickinson (1-1, 1-1 WDA).

Wrestling at 120, Schulze earned a 4-2 sudden victory over Dickinson’s Houston Crimmins. After Minot’s win, Schulze recounted his strategy quietly but firmly.

“Never, ever quitting,” Schulze said. “Just keep going. Even if it’s hard, even if both of us want to quit. You want to be the aggressor. You want to be on top. You’ve got to keep going.”

Jacob Carmichael got the action going at 195 with a 16-6 major decision over Dickinson’s Jackson Melvin. After that, the Midgets took their first and only lead of the night.

Tyler White pinned Nicolas Juarez in 32 seconds, giving the Midgets an early 6-4 advantage. Minot’s Preston Jones took a hard-earned 7-4 decision over Malikai Rivera at the 285 spot.

After Jones wiggled his way to three points, Minot’s Gabe Mortensen made quick work of Dickinson’s Gavin Morel at 106. Mortensen pinned Morel in 35 seconds.

“In these duals, it’s so important for bonus points,” Minot head coach Justin Racine said. “Not giving up bonus points and getting bonus points. I thought we left some bonus points on the mat tonight. We could have scored a lot more bonus points in matches that we didn’t. But overall, we came out aggressive.”

Mortensen’s win started a Magi streak. Tyler Nelson pinned Dickinson’s Gage Glaser in 1:32, providing Minot with six additional points at the 113 weight class.

“We knew we could win,” Racine said. “If you don’t win those first two at 106 and 113, who knows if we’ve got that energy and motivation?”

Schulze and Crimmins followed with an epic duel. When Schulze earned favorable position, Crimmins weaved his way out.

In the overtime period, Schulze’s final takedown sent the Minot faithful into an uproar. The Magi leapt out of their ringside seats and encouraged Schulze.

“I’m thankful for my team,” Schulze said. “They keep me going. They pretty much made me who I am right now.”

Victor Garcia followed with a technical fall over Dickinson’s Walter Morel at 126. Garcia’s match played out in a similar fashion to Schulze’s, with both wrestlers struggling for the top spot.

Garcia gave the Magi five points, and Kelby Armstrong followed with his own technical fall at the 132 weight class. Armstrong gained a late advantage and took down Dickinson’s Cullen Murphy.

The Magi’s final win of their mid-match streak came via a David Schulze pin. After Dickinson’s Dawson Richter fell in 1:13 at 138, Minot added six more points to its total.

Dickinson’s Troy Berg earned a 5-4 decision over Minot’s Trevon McClaanahan at 145. The grueling match went back and forth, but the Midgets earned three points.

“It’s going to be important going forward that we don’t give up those bonus points and get those bonus points,” Racine said. “That’s an important thing.”

Dexter Carpenter earned a 5-0 decision over Minot’s Carter Peterson at 152, giving the Midgets three additional points. However, those points proved to be too little, too late.

Chase Burke grinded out a long, hard-fought victory over Dickinson’s Cody Booth at 160. Burke’s 10-6 decision effectively sealed the match for Minot.

After Xylis Holter won by forfeit at 170, Dickinson’s Tanner Jarrett won a 7-1 decision over Minot’s Isaac Fernandez. Minot’s final match may have ended in a loss, but the Magi took the 47-15 victory.

The Magi will travel to the Carrington Tournament today. The tournament will continue over the weekend.

“If we keep progressing, I feel like we can get that state title this year,” Stephen Schulze said. “If we keep going, keep encouraging each other and keep building up, we can get there.”

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.