The No. 12 SDSU wrestling team traveled to the University of Minnesota after two events at home to dual the No. 13 ranked Golden Gophers.
The now No. 14 ranked Jackrabbits were defeated by the now No. 12 Golden Gophers 13-19 in a dual Nov. 26 at the Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Four wins in a row during the middle of the dual helped the Gophers secure the win over the Jackrabbits.
In the first two matches of the dual, SDSU wrestlers Tanner Jordan and Derrick Cardinal claimed an upset over their opponents. These wins would be two of the four that SDSU claimed in the dual.
Jordan won his match by decision over Patrick McKee of Minnesota 9-4, making it his eighth consecutive win since being defeated in the second round of the Bison open. Cardinal also won by decision, beating Tyler Wells 5-3 in a close match at 133 lbs.
The Jacks followed these two matches with four losses in a row before they won their next match.
At 141 lbs., Vance VomBaur (Minnesota) over Caleb Gross (SDSU) by decision 5-2, 149 lbs. Drew Roberts (Minnesota) over Alek Martin (SDSU) by decision 8-1, 157 lbs. Michael Blockhus (Minnesota) over Cael Swenson (SDSU) in sudden victory 7-4 and at 165 lbs. Blaine Brenner (Minnesota) over Tanner Cook (SDSU) by decision 9-6.
The Jacks saw their next win at 174 lbs. when No. 7 ranked Cade DeVos won by decision over Minnesota’s Sam Skillings 4-1. Following this match at 184 lbs, SDSU’s Connor Gaynor fell to No. 7 ranked Isaiah Salazar by major decision 15-3.
Following Gaynor’s loss, at 197 lbs., No. 2 ranked Tanner Sloan added points for the Jackrabbits as he won by decision over Minnesota’s No. 17 ranked Garrett Joles 11-2. Luke Rasmussen was the last match for the Jackrabbits at 285lbs, Rasmussen fell to Bennett Tabor by decision 9-7.
Minnesota leads the all-time series between the two teams with a record of 29-4, winning the last 12 duals between the teams. Sloan secured his 88th victory of his career during the dual adding to his dual record which is now at 51-4.
For their next competition, the Jacks will head to the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two-day event Friday, Dec. 1 ending Saturday, Dec. 2.
SDSU will be one of 35 teams participating in the event beginning at 11 a.m.
Sloan recently participated in the 2023 NCWA All-Star Classic on Nov. 20, where he faced off with the No. 1 ranked wrestler at 197 lbs., Aaron Brooks a three-time NCAA champ from Penn State. Brooks defeated Sloan by major decision 11-2 in their matchup in Rec Hall on the campus of Penn State University.
Senior Tanner Jordan received national recognition on NCAA social media channels as the Wrestler of the Week. Jordan’s upset of Patrick Mckee of Minnesota in the dual and climbing to No. 26 in the national rankings helped him achieve this award.
With Jordan’s climb to No. 26, he improves as one of the eight Jackrabbits who are ranked individually in the NCAA Division 1 rankings.
The other Jackrabbits who are ranked include Derrick Cardinal No.18 (133 lbs.), Clay Carlson No. 6 (141 lbs.), Cael Swenson No. 14 (157 lbs.), Tanner Cook No. 15 (165 lbs.), Cade DeVos No. 8 (174 lbs.), Bennett Berge No. 21 (184 lbs.) and rounding out the ranked Jackrabbits is senior Tanner Sloan ranked No. 2 at 197 lbs.
