Independent file photo SMSU’s Hunter Pfantz tries to pin his Northern State University opponent during their match on Jan. 10. The Mustangs will face Augustana today before competing against nonconference opponents on Saturday.

MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team (2-3, 2-2 NSIC) is set to compete in a busy weekend with a conference dual at Augustana tonight at 7 p.m. and traveling to nonconference duals in York, Neb., on Saturday.

SMSU travels to Augustana for a 7 p.m. conference dual tonight before a weekend competing at the North Country Open beginning at 9 a.m. in Collegeville and traveling to York, Neb., for a split dual facing Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and York College (Neb.) at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Catching up with

the Mustangs

SMSU earned an 18-14 victory over No. 17 Northern State on Jan. 10 in the PE Gym, before traveling to Moorhead to pick up a 24-15 victory over MSU Moorhead on Jan. 11. The Mustangs started the weekend off with six bout victories over No. 17 Northern State for the first conference dual victory of the season. The Mustangs opened the dual with back-to-back victories at 125 and 133 by Hunter Pfantz and Jackson Stauffacher. Robert Shields (149), Jacob Backlund (165), Hayden Voxland (174), and Jackson Ryan (197) all contributed to the victory.

Versus MSU Moorhead, SMSU earned five bout victories in the dual win over MSU Moorhead, but the three collective victories by fall would put the Mustangs over the Dragons. Justin Sampson (141) went 1-1 on the weekend with a win by fall at 6:32. Cole Hennen (184) also went 1-1 with a decision victory over MSUM’s Mitchell Kotschevar. Ryan (197) picked up his second dual victory with a win in sudden victory before Pfantz (125) and Staffacher (133) finished the bout, both picking up wins by fall.

Regional rankings

Four Mustang wrestlers made the cut in the Super Five Region Rankings, released on Jan. 22. Jackson Stauffacher ranks fifth at 133, Robert Shields ranks fifth at 149, Cole Hennen ranks fifth at 184, and Jackson Ryan ranks third at 197.

About Augustana

Augustana is 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the NSIC, coming into the dual on five straight victories. Augustana has two wrestlers ranked in the Top-12 NWCA Individual rankings, released on Jan. 22. Jack Huffman (133) ranks ninth, and Ben Kelvington (174) ranks eighth. Augustana is slated third in the Super Five Region Team Rankings, also released on Jan. 22. Augie’s winning streak began on Dec. 20 with a 20-15 victory over Wisconsin-Parkside. Since then, Augie has earned a victory over then-ranked, No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney, then-ranked No. 23 Western Colorado, then-ranked No. 17 Northern State, and MSU Moorhead.

Augustana

series history

Augustana holds a 29-5 advantage over SMSU in the all-time series, dating back to 1982. Augie has won 18 of the last 19 duals, the last being a 28-9 victory in Marshall on Jan. 19. SMSU’s last victory was a 15-14 win on Jan. 14, 2014 in Sioux Falls.

Probable SMSU Lineup

125 Hunter Pfantz

133 Jackson Stauffacher

141 Justin Sampson

149 Robert Shields

157 Nathan Moore

165 Jacob Backlund

174 Hayden Voxland

184 Cole Hennen

197 Jackson Ryan

285 Andrew Petersen

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications