MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team will compete at the NCAA Super Regional V Tournament this Saturday starting at 12 p.m. inside Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, S.D.

The NCAA Super Regional Tournament V features all 10 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference teams. The top two finishers at each weight class, along with five wild card positions, will qualify for the NCAA Championships. The wild cards will be voted on Saturday night by the 10 head coaches. The NCAA Championships will be held at the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, Mo., starting on Friday, March 12, and running through Saturday, March 13.

The Super Regional V tournament will have three teams that as of Feb. 19, ranked in the Top 25 according to the NWCA Rankings. St. Cloud State, the 2019 NCAA Champions enter tournament ranked No. 3 in the country, behind Nebraska-Kearney and Lindenwood. Minnesota State is ranked No. 11, UW-Parkside is ranked No. 13, while Upper Iowa is ranked No. 21. UMary, Northern State, Augustana, Minot State, SMSU and MSU Moorhead all received votes for the national poll.

SMSU head coach Jesse Nelson’s expected line-up for the weekend will be returning four of the wrestlers from last year’s Regional tournament including last year’s NCAA Championship qualifier Jackson Ryan, who will be competing again at 197.

Jackson Stauffacher at 133, Justin Sampson at 141, and Hayden Voxland at 174 all return at their respective weights from last season looking for more success the second time around. Stauffacher finished his 2020-21 regular season going 3-2, Sampson finished 0-5, Voxland finished 3-2, and Ryan finished a perfect 5-0 heading into this weekend.

SMSU Probable Lineup:

125 | Ben Emrich (1-4)

133 | Jackson Stauffacher (3-2)

141 | Justin Sampson (0-5)

149 | Luke Peterson (3-0)

157 | Sean Howk (1-4)

165 | Carter Marx (0-5)

174 | Hayden Voxland (3-2)

184 | Caden Steffen (3-2)

197 | Jackson Ryan (5-0)

285 | Jacob Dykes (3-2)

Regional and

National rankings

SMSU will be bringing four Region V ranked wrestlers this year along with one wrestler nationally ranked: Luke Peterson (2-0), Caden Steffen (3-2), and Jacob Dykes (3-2) rank fifth in Region V at their respective weights. Ryan (5-0) ranks third in Region V and 10th nationally at 197.

Last season at NCAA Regional

Southwest Minnesota State finished with a total of 14.5 points taking 10th in the tournament. Jackson Ryan placed third at 197 pounds winning three of our matches to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

SMSU national qualifiers

Jackson Ryan had his National Tournament cut short last season due to the COVID-19 outbreak that shutdown the tournament as he was out on the mat warming up. He looks to repeat his success from last season by coming in nationally ranked second at 197 along with being a perfect 5-0 this season.

Since moving to NCAA Division II in 1996, SMSU has qualified 46 wrestlers to the NCAA Championships with 12 All-Americans and one National Champion–Link Steffen in 1998.

Fan attendance

Northern State University is allowing fans at a 25% capacity at all events in Wachs Arena. Individuals for the regional tournament will be broken up into multiple tiers. Those without an event pass designating T1 or T2 must remain out of the restricted areas and outside of the roped off competition area.

Per the South Dakota Board of Regents face covering policy, face coverings are required to be worn in all public indoor spaces on campus at all times and per the NSIC Winter Sports Competition Plan, masking is required for all spectators in attendance, regardless of state and local guidance. The only exception is student-athletes actively engaging in competition and when spectators are eating or drinking for a limited period of time.

Northern State University & NSU Athletics are following CDC guidelines to help prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19. NSU asks all individuals to follow these prevention tips:

-Practice safe social distancing, keeping at least 6 feet between individuals at all times.

-Wash hands thoroughly and sanitize equipment after use.

-Wear a mask and/or gloves when possible.

-Stay home if you are sick, especially if you are experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath.

For more information go to: https://nsuwolves.com/sports/2021/1/8/2021-ncaa-mens-central-region.aspx

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications