SDSU wrestles two wins away from opponents

Brian Kimmes

Brian Kimmes

The SDSU Wrestling Team hosted three different schools for dual meets this past weekend. Wyoming traveled to Brookings for a meet on Friday night and Dakota Wesleyan University and Air Force Academy came to town on Saturday.

The Jacks went 2-1 in the three dual matches, losing the first match to Wyoming, 18-26, then responding Saturday to beat Dakota Wesleyan, 32-16, and Air Force, 15-12, to improve their overall record to 6-7 on the year.

In the Dakota Wesleyan match, four matches were decided by forfeit. SDSU received wins at the 157 and 184 pound weight classes and DW recorded forfeit victories at the 133 and 141 weight classes. SDSU won five of the six matches that were wrestled. SDSU’s Brad Gregory won the first match with a victory against Thomas Konechne.

Cody Nehl scored the Jacks’ first and only pin against Andrew Schmaltz. Nehl made quick work of Schmaltz, pinning him in one minute and fifteen seconds. Travis Gottschalk and Jason Stripling each earned major victories in their matches.

The wrestling matches in the evening against Air Force Academy were much closer than the afternoon contests against Dakota Wesleyan. Although the Jacks won, 25-12, a number of matches were close.

The first match against Air Force set the tone for the meet. Andy Everson of SDSU squared off against Zach Lord of Air Force. Everson was in control of the match, leading 10-2 in the third period. Everson’s leg was hurting him and Lord took advantage of the situation. Lord took down Everson and scored a near fall towards the end of the match. Everson was on his back for the last 35 seconds and was able to avoid being pinned to secure the victory, 11-8, and avoid a nine-point swing.

The next match was of equal intensity, needing overtime to be decided. Justin Retallic of SDSU and Greg Ford of Air Force were tied 3-3 after three periods. Retallic scored a takedown during the overtime session to give the Jacks a 6-0 lead.

Air Force won the next two matches to even the meet up at 6-6.

Nehl got the Jacks back on track with a 7-2 victory against Brenden McLean. Stripling continued the Jacks’ winning ways by scoring a 3-1 win against Frank McGrath. The next two matches were forfeits, one for each team. The Jacks led, 18-12, heading into the final two matches. Derek Pirner secured the team victory by defeating Shane Manuel with an 8-0 major decision. Chad Herrboldt finished the meet strong for the Jacks by defeating Bridger Lord, 5-2.

The Jacks travel to Northern Colorado and Utah Valley State before their next home meet against North Dakota State on Feb. 10.

#1.884768:861408394.jpg:sdsuvsuw02_tc.jpg:Brad Gregory of SDSU fights to stand up against Carter Downing of Wyoming.:Ty Carlson