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MSU wrestling falls by a point to No. 6 Upper Iowa

Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Upper Iowa senior Justin Folley (left) and Minot State junior Oscar Nellis (right) wrestle Friday night at the MSU Dome. Folley’s takedown gave the Peacocks four points.

The Minot State wrestling team hosted No. 6-ranked Upper Iowa on the mat Friday evening. The Beavers were looking to play spoiler and earn their way into the Top 25 national rankings with a win or an impressive performance.

Upper Iowa held on to win by a final score of 20-19 despite a resilient effort from the Beavers.

The individual matches finished as follows:

125: Dean Arevalo (MSU) def. Jared Hensley (UIU)

Dean Arevalo started the night with two early takedowns and a near fall in the first period. Arevalo cruised through the second and third periods to the first win of the night for Minot State by a score of 17-5 via major decision.

133: Justin Folley (UIU) def. Oscar Nellis (MSU)

Upper Iowa’s Folley took control of Oscar Nellis early with two takedowns in the first period. Folley continued his dominance in the remainder of the match with three more takedowns and an escape to win 14-3 by major decision.

141: Marco Ramirezlazos (MSU) def. Connor Manderfeld (UIU)

An aggressive match between Ramirezlazos and Manderfeld started with a Peacock takedown, and Ramirezlazos tied the score with an escape to start the second period. In the third, Manderfeld was given a stalling penalty with less than ten seconds to go. Ramirezlazos held the riding time advantage and won, 5-4.

149: Shadi Mitwalli (MSU) def. Tate Murty (UIU)

Mitwalli, the region’s fifth-ranked grappler, was taken down to start the match. In a low-scoring affair, Mitwalli and Murty fought until the third period when Shadi recorded a takedown and near fall to win 10-4 by decision.

157: Mac Spotts (UIU) def. Zach Berry (MSU)

Berry started the scoring with an early takedown followed by a reversal from Spotts. Spotts took control late in the first period with a four-point near fall and held on to win a slow-paced match 10-3 by decision.

165: Nathan Baca (MSU) def. Brock Benitz (UIU)

Benitz, the fourth-ranked 165-pounder in the nation, started the scoring with an early takedown. Baca managed two escapes in the first to keep the margin within reach and tied the score in the third period with a reversal to send the match into overtime. Baca then made a quick takedown and pin to win in OT.

174: Dalton Nelson (UIU) def. Joey Lopez (MSU)

Nelson scored early and often with three takedowns in the first period. Lopez rallied late, but it was not enough as Nelson earned the win.

184: Dalton Hahn (UIU) def. Matthew Rabe (MSU)

UIU’s Hahn overpowered Rabe in the first period with five impressive takedowns. In the second, a four-point near fall for Hahn moved the score to 19-5 before a pin. Hahn won the match via fall.

197: Nick Baumler (UIU) def. Dustin Swisher (MSU)

In what was ultimately the deciding match, Nick Baumler, the nation’s top-ranked athlete at 197, proved his standing with two quick takedowns. Swisher battled through the second period but could not narrow the margin. A pair of third-period takedowns seals the 17-5 major decision win for Baumler.

285: Jordan Will (MSU) def. Triston Westerlund (UIU)

Will and Westerlund fought through a scoreless first period before Will started the scoring with a takedown. Westerlund countered with an escape, but Jordan held on to win 4-1 by decision in his first match of the season.

The MSU wrestling team will be back in action this Sunday (Dec. 6) when they hit the road for another open competition. The Beavers will be competing at the Dragon Open hosted by MSU Moorhead.

— MSU athletics

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