Sarah Passick

South Dakota State wrestlers went head to head this weekend, competing in two duel meets.

Friday, the Jacks fell to St. Cloud State 30-18 in North Central Conference dual action.

The Jacks forfeited two matches in the 149 and 165 weight classes, and lost the 125 match by an injury default.

SDSU had five wrestlers that swept their matches. Tyler Jones, 184-pounder, had a 12-5 decision over Nate Whiting. Nathen Smrekar won with a 4-1 decision over John Dirkesen in the 133 weight class. Sophomore Jeremy Roe smothered St. Cloud State’s Joe Sathre in a 11-2 decision in the 141 wight class. Aaron Veskrna swept his opponent Dan Duch into a 11-5 decision, winning the 157 weight class.

” I was happy with my performance. Anytime you can go in a win a match is great,” Veskrna said.

Saturday, the Jacks were swept by fifth-ranked Minnesota State, Mankato, Minn.

Five wrestlers dominate the mats against the Mavericks. However, SDSU did face three forfeits in 125, 149 and 165 weight classes, which did not help the 30-18 final score.

Some SDSU wrestlers are struggling with injuries forfeiting three weight classes.

SDSU might have to forfeit the 149 weight class this weekend, but coach Liles said that hopefully the other two classes will be filled.

Roe defeated MSU-Mankato’s Dustin Kulseth by a technical fall of 5:12 in the 141 weight class. Second-ranked Veskrna defeated Mankato’s Cory Beckman 4-3 in the 157-weight class. At 184, Number two Jones defeated Joel Schrimpt 15-6. Todd Paszek dominated his 197-weight class by pulling down Aaron Pyfferoen in a 4-2 decision. Heavyweight and seventh ranked Jon Madsen defeated Paul Suien 10-6.

After Friday and Saturday’s meet, Veskrna holds a 23-1 record for the season.

The Jacks are ranked 12th in NCAA Division II. The wrestling team holds a 6-6 record with a 1-3 record in the North Central Conference.

The SDSU wrestling team takes to the mats this weekend at home in frost Area. Friday, the wrestlers will face Northern State University in a non-conference duel at 8 p.m. Saturday, the Jacks will compete against second-ranked North Dakota State University at 7:30 p.m.

The team is prepared for this weekend against NDSU, Veskrna said.

“They have a great traditional wrestling team,” he said. “We are struggling with duals and they have a great dual team.”

NDSU has a 8-1 record and is un defeated 3-0 in the NCC. Three Bison remain undefeated in the dual meet season. Matt Strawser, 190-pounder; Todd Fuller, 174-pounder and heavyweight Nick Severson all remain undefeated.

Veskrna is confident that Liles will prepare the team for this and following meets.

“I think Coach will prepare us for what lies a head trough conditioning and so on.,” he said