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SMSU WRESTLING: Mustangs fall short to U-Mary

Photo by Sam Thiel SMSU’s Jackson Ryan tries to pin the University of Mary’sGerardo Jaime during their match on Saturday. The Mustangs fell to the Marauders 18-16.

MARSHALL — After its thrilling victory over No. 23 Minot State University the night before, the Southwest Minnesota State University wrestling team looked to carry that momentum into its regular season finale against the University of Mary on Saturday afternoon. The Mustangs went down to the wire with the Marauders but their late rally attempt came up just short as SMSU fell to U-Mary 18-16 in the PE Gym.

Despite the tough outcome, SMSU coach Jesse Nelson was proud of the way his team fought to the very end.

“We battled hard and knew it was going to be a tight match and there was going to be no room for bonus points and they got more bonus points than we did,” Nelson said. “They got the job done, but I still thought our guys fought hard and wrestled well.”

Unlike Friday’s poor start, the Mustangs set the tone early against the Marauders, winning the first three bouts to go up 9-0. Hunter Pfantz (125-weight class), Jackson Stauffacher (133-weight class) and Justin Sampson (141-weight class) all were victorious for SMSU, earning decision wins by two points or fewer. Stauffacher had the biggest highlight with a two-point takedown after trailing 6-5 in the last 30 seconds of the final period to net the comeback win in the bout.

SMSU’s lead wouldn’t last long, though, as U-Mary strung together four straight victories, with a pin by Phillip Springsteen (174-weight class) putting the Marauders in front for the first time at 15-9. The Mustangs quickly responded, getting a major decision victory from Cole Hennen (184-weight class) before Jackson Ryan (197-weight class) earned a 3-1 sudden victory to give SMSU the lead back at 16-15 heading into the final bout.

Unfortunately for the Mustangs, U-Mary was able to piece one more rally together, as Dominic Tudor won by decision over SMSU’s Andrew Petersen to bring it to the 18-16 final.

“We got back on a roll up top with Cole getting us a major decision and then Jackson coming through again and giving us an opportunity to win the dual,” Nelson said. “Andy went out and battled, but just didn’t get the job done but all the way around I thought the effort was good, we just came up short.”

Saluting the seniors

Prior to the dual, the Mustangs honored their seven seniors. They are Brock Buysse, Willie Meine, Nick Santos, Ben Thompson, Petersen, Kyle Green and Hennen. Nelson said all of them played a big role during their time on campus and is excited to see their next steps.

“They’ve helped change the face of the program and the culture,” Nelson said. “I can’t say enough good things about them, they’re all going to get their degrees, they’re all going to be successful in life and I’m excited for them in their next step and I’m glad they were here.”

Up next

SMSU (4-7, 3-5 NSIC) will compete on Feb. 29 in the NCAA Super Regional in Sioux Falls (S.D.) at 10 a.m. Any wrestler that advances will then compete at the NCAA Championships on March 13 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. Nelson said their biggest takeaway will be to continue to compete through each bout and find different ways to score points when out on the mat.

“I just think in every period we’ve got to find ways to score points and wrestle all seven minutes,” Nelson said.

125 | Hunter Pfantz wins by decision (8-6) over Jeremy Leintz. SMSU 3, U-Mary 0.

133 | Jackson Stauffacher wins by decision (7-6) over Laken Boese. SMSU 6, U-Mary 0.

141 | Justin Sampson wins by decision (3-1) over Trevor Fauver. SMSU 9, U-Mary 0.

149 | Devin Steidler wins by decision (10-5) over Robert Shields. SMSU 9, U-Mary 3.

157 | Braydon Huber wins by decision (12-5) over Nathan Moore. SMSU 9, U-Mary 6.

165 | Payton Hume wins by decision (6-4) over Jacob Backlund. SMSU 9, U-Mary 9.

174 | Phillip Springsteen wins by pin at 0:41 over Hayden Voxland. SMSU 9, U-Mary 15.

184 | Cole Hennen wins by major decision (9-0) over Austin Eichmann. SMSU 13, U-Mary 15.

197 | Jackson Ryan wins by decision (3-1) over Gerardo Jaime. SMSU 16. U-Mary 15.

285 | Dominic Tudor wins by decision (6-0) over Andrew Petersen. SMSU 16. U-Mary 18.

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