The past and present collide again

In a tremendous exhibition of tradition, pride and quality wrestling, the Montana State University-Northern wrestling team kicked off the 2014-15 season with the annual Alumni Dual.

The Alumni team, which consisted of numerous former NAIA All-Americans, defeated the Lights 33-18 inside the Armory Gymnasium Saturday. Despite the loss, the Lights performed better than expected and won six of the 14 matches. There was one draw. They also performed much better than a season ago when they lost to the Alumni 31-3.

“I don’t ever remember winning six matches against the Alumni,” Northern head coach Tyson Thivierge said. “I am happy with our performance, I don’t like giving up pins, we gave up four pins. They won seven matches, we won six and there was one draw. It’s a tight dual without the pins, so that is just something we need to learn from.”

The Alumni got off to a quick start, opening the dual with a pair of wins by pin fall as Mike McPeak defeated Logan Foster and Austin Ouelette beat Terry Mason. The Lights countered by winning two matches of their own. First, Willie Miller won a 7-2 decision over Rudy James. Then fellow Light Drew Randall earned a 3-2 victory over Bobby Mantle.

Following a draw between Aaron Jensen of the Alumni and Andrew Bartel of the Lights, Colt Heger earned another key victory for the Alumni by pinning Justin Rogers. The Lights responded by getting back-to-back wins over the Alumni as Tommy Cooper got a 2-1 victor over Casey Pinion and Jared Miller won a 2-0 decision over Colter Dimas.

After a victory by Mitch Overlie of the Alumni, who defeated Dillon Tennant 4-1, the most exciting match of the day took place as Lights senior Ethan Hinebauch knocked off three-time All-American Cameron Neiss 4-1.

Following the win by Hinebauch, the Alumni got wins from Dustyn Azure, who pinned Terry Mason and Anthony Weerheim, who won by decision over Drew Randall. Rudy James also earned a 3-1 win in overtime over Andrew Bartel.

In the upset of the day, Garret DeMers of the Lights knocked off four-time All-American and NAIA national champion Evan Hinebauch 5-1.

Northern will get back on the mat on Oct. 23 for the Maroon-Gold dual at the Armory Gymnasium. It will get underway at 7 p.m. The Lights will see their first regular season action Nov. 5 when they travel to Powell, Wyoming, for the Trapper Open.

Alumni 33, Lights 18

Mike McPeak, Alumni, pinned Logan Foster; Austin Ouelette, Alumni pinned Terry Mason; Willie Miller, MSU-N, 7-2 dec. Rudy James; Drew Randall, MSU-N, 3-2 dec. Bobby Mantle; Aaron Jensen, Alumni 4-4 tie Andrew Bartel; Colt Heger, Alumni pinned Justin Rodgers; Tommy Cooper, MSU-N, 2-1 dec. Casey Pinion; Jared Miller, MSU-N, 2-0 dec. Colter Dimas; Mitch Overlie, Alumni, 4-1 dec. Dillon Tennant; Ethan Hinebauch, MSU-N, 4-1 dec. Cameron Neiss; Dustyn Azure, Alumni, pinned Terry Mason; Anthony Weerhiem, Alumni dec. Drew Randall; Garrett DeMers, MSU-N 5-1 dec. Evan Hinebauch; Rudy James, Alumni 3-1 dec. Andrew Bartel.