Augustana wrestling falls to Minot State
The Minot State University wrestling team defeated Augustana 21-19 on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Elmen Center, ending the Vikings’ eight-match winning streak.
After a dominant 27-9 win to the University of Mary the night before, the Vikings (9-3, 5-1 NSIC) fought hard, but couldn’t keep their momentum going against the Beavers (5-7, 2-5 NSIC).
“We didn’t wrestle with any heart today,” said head coach Jason Reitmeier. “We didn’t wrestle smart, with heart, and it showed.”
Junior Ethan Cota started the meet by falling 3-0 to Minot State senior Dean Arevalo in the 124-pound weight class. Immediately after, Augustana redshirt junior Brandon Carroll gave the Vikings a 3-point boost by using four takedowns and a reversal to defeat junior Oscar Nellis in the 133-pound class.
Redshirt freshman Hunter Burnett tacked on two more points for the Vikings with four near falls and two takedowns against sophomore Lincoln Stormer in the 141-pound category.
A forfeit by the Vikings in the 149-pound class gave the Beavers a 9-8 lead, which Minot State added to with respective 3-point wins by senior Zachary Berry, sophomore Nathan Baca and redshirt freshman Joseph Lopez in the 157-, 165- and 174-pound classes.
Down by 10 points, and with only three more weight classes to go, the Vikings needed a surge of energy. It came from Kolby Kost and Daniel Bishop.
The first period of the 184-pound class began with a takedown by Minot State redshirt junior Noe Garcia, but Kost escaped and turned the tables by taking down Garcia. Kost was ready in the second round with a takedown and a 2-point near fall. He emerged victorious by pinning Garcia in the third round and gave the Vikings six points.
Sophomore Daniel Bishop followed with an aggressive win in the 197-pound class. Using three 4-point near falls and a takedown, he claimed victory against freshman Dustin Swisher and put the Vikings ahead 19-18.
“They [Colby and Daniel] went out and they brought the passion and intensity and got after the guys,” Reitmeier said. “[They] pushed the pace for seven minutes and they got a W.”
In the final class, it rested on redshirt freshman Steven Hajas to keep the Vikings’ lead. He was unsuccessful. Minot State redshirt sophomore Jordan Will, ranked No. 8 in the nation, used two takedowns to give himself the advantage in the first two periods. Early in the third, Will was able to escape from Hajas and then obtained a takedown. With the advantage of little time left in the match, Will cemented the 9-3 victory for the Beavers.
“They outperformed as simply as it is,” Kost said. “We knew they weren’t going to be an easy team, and then sure enough, they came out swinging and they didn’t give us anything easy. They’re a tough team and they’re a worthy competitor and it’s going to be tough when it comes to matching up with them in regions again.”
The Vikings will travel to Mankato on Friday, Feb. 14, to take on Minnesota State University. The meet is set to start at 7 p.m.
