Adam Zobel

The SDSU Jackrabbit wrestling squad downed Northern State by the score of 23-11 on Saturday night in dual action at Aberdeen.

After falling behind 11-3 after four matches, the Jacks wrestlers won their final six matches to win the dual, their third dual triumph in a row.

The dual began at the heavyweight level with Cody Nehl falling in a major decision. Garrett Houska then lost a major decision at 125 before SDSU got on the board with an 8-2 decision by Kris Dozark at 133.

Chad Herrboldt, who was filling in for an ill Jeremy Roe at 141, lost 7-5 as NSU jumped ahead 11-3.

Despite falling behind after four matches, the Jackrabbit wrestlers rolled off six straight victories to take the dual.

Jared Barnes at 149, Joe Kenton at 157, Tyler Bryant at 165, and Bryan Cowdin at 174 won decisions to push the Jacks to a 15-11 lead. Tyler Jones at 184 and Tim Boldt at 197 then won major decisions to clinch the victory for SDSU.

Despite the early defeats, Coach Liles was encouraged about his wrestlers’ performances.

“Our heavyweight did well considering he gave up 60 pounds,” Liles said. “Herrboldt faced a fifth-year senior and lost a close match.”

The coach was also pleased with the team’s performance after a month-long layoff.

“We had a pretty good performance,” Liles said. “They (NSU) wrestled us hard.”

The SDSU wrestling squad is ranked seventh in Division II and has a 3-2 dual record this year.

The Jackrabbit wrestlers will travel to Columbus, Ohio, this weekend to wrestle in the National Duals, sponsored by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

Sixteen of the top Division II wrestling programs, including five from the NCC, will be at the two-day event.

“It’s a tournament we’ve always done well in,” Liles said. “We need everyone to wrestle well.”

“I look forward to the opportunity of wrestling against the best teams in Division II,” Nehl said.