MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team (0-3, 0-2 NSIC) prepares to host the first conference dual of the 2019-20 season today versus Northern State at 7 p.m. in the PE Gym.

SMSU splits weekend play after hosting Northern State today, the Mustangs travel to Moorhead to face the Dragons of MSU Moorhead on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Nemzek Hall.

Catching up

with the Mustangs

The Mustangs dropped a conference and a nonconference dual in last outings on Dec. 12 and 13. SMSU earned two bout victories over the then-ranked No. 6 Upper Iowa squad, who claimed a 28-6 victory over the Mustangs. Justin Sampson (141) and Robert Shields (149) were the two lone Mustangs to both earn a decision victory in the dual.

Against the division III defending national champion, Augsburg, the Mustangs claimed four bout victories at 141, 157, 197, and rounded-out with a victory at 285. All Mustangs earned decision victories with Justin Sampson (141) kicking it off with a 5-4 final over Adam Mickelson, Nathan Moore (157) earned a 6-1 final over Jack Vaselaar, Jackson Ryan (197) earned a 7-2 final over Jonathan Zarnke, and Andrew Petersen (285) closed out the night with a 5-3 final over Tyler Kim.

Regional rankings

Four Mustang wrestlers made the cut in the Super Five Region Rankings, released on Dec. 31. Robert Shields ranks fifth at 149, Cole Hennen ranks fifth at 184, Jackson Ryan ranks fourth at 197, and Andrew Petersen ranks sixth at 285.

About Northern State

Northern State, 5-2 overall and 101 in NSIC play, is ranked No. 17 in the latest NWCA poll. The Wolves come into the match with four nationally-ranked wrestlers as Dayne Morton (133) is ranked fifth, Caden Moore (149) is ranked eighth, James Burks (157) is ranked ninth, and Marcus Placide (184) is ranked 11th. The wolves will face Augustana on Thursday before traveling to Marshall to face the Mustangs.

Northern State history

SMSU leads the all-time history 27-10-3 after breaking an eight-dual winning streak a season ago. SMSU fell 22-16 to NSU in Aberdeen on Jan. 10. SMSU has only ever lost two consecutive matches to NSU which occurred in 2007 and 2008. SMSU has a 11-4-2 advantage of games played in Marshall.

About MSU Moorhead

MSU Moorhead is 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the NSIC. The Dragons fell in their solo conference dual, 29-7 to Northern State. The Dragon roster includes two seniors, nine juniors, seven sophomores, two redshirt freshmen, and five true freshmen.

MSU Moorhead history

MSU Moorhead holds a 27-21-1 edge over SMSU in the all-time series, dating back to 1983. SMSU snapped a two-match losing streak a season ago with a 24-16 victory, the lone victory for the Mustangs last season, on Feb. 1, in Marshall. The Dragons also are 18-12-1 in matches played in Moorhead.

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

Northern State Probable Lineup

125: Landen Fischer/ Dane Christopherson

133: Dayne Morton/Robert Coyle

141: Kenny Jones/Nate Rodriguez

149: Caden Moore/Garret Thompson

157: James Burks/Bryan Burnett

165: Billy Holtan

174: Tanner Wiese/Jake Flakus

184: Marcus Placide/Riley Lura

197: Diego Gallegos

HWT: Caleb Lefferdink

MSUM Probable Lineup

125-Cameron Williams

133-Joey Nerdahl

141-Mason Schulz

149-Zach Scott

157-Tell Ward

165-Justin Dravis

174-Evan Foster

184-Mitch Kotschevar

197-Logan Rhode

285-Jordan Magnuson

— Content courtesy of

SMSU Athletic Communications