By Boots Gifford
The Montana State-Northern Lights got a good taste of the NAIA competition as they took a major bite out of the Burnaby Wrestling Club of Simon Fraser University with a 29-10 win Monday night.
Team-wise, the constant pressure is what finally broke them, Lights coach David Ray said. (Simon Fraser has) good technique, good wrestlers.
But even with the decisive win, Ray said the Lights learned some lessons.
We made mistakes, but we can correct them and make these guys a lot stronger, Ray said.
Northerns Dane Jacobsen, wrestling at heavyweight, set the tone with a 13-3 major decision over Ted Smith.
Dane was so nervous. He said, I never had to go first, Ray said, adding the grappler shook that off very quickly. He really did look good. He did a nice job, his attitude and everything.
At 141 pounds, Light Jessie Schaeffer intensified the momentum with a 3:41 pin over Mike Munsie.
Jessie took a while to figure this kid out, but once he did, he controlled him, Ray said.
Northern transfer Brendan Burns, at 157 pounds, struggled in the first period against Jeremy Andrews, but found his pace and scored a 10-7 victory.
Brendan was very hesitant, very unsure (in the beginning), Ray said. Hes got to realize he needs to take 20, 30 shots in the first period, wear them down.
Northerns Chris Hayes pressured his way to a 10-1 major decision over Danny Einhorn at 165 pounds.
Hayes did an excellent job, Ray said. Nice position. I really liked how he wrestled.
At 184 pounds, Light Tyson Thivierge continued his domination on the mat with a pin at 4:08 over James Messenger. Burnabys Ted Smith took a second loss at heavyweight as Turk Lords of Northern scored a pin.
The Lights wrestle again on Thursday, hosting North Idaho College at 7:30 p.m.
MSU-Northern over Burnaby Wrestling Club (Simon Fraser University), 29-10
125 Exhibition; 141 Jessie Schaeffer (N) pinned Mike Munsie, 3:49; 149 Neal Ewers (B) pinned Lyle Cronk, 6:48; 157 Brendan Burns (N) over Jeremy Andrews, 10-7; 165 Chris Hayes (N) over Danny Einhorn, 10-1; 174 Lars Blomgren (B) over Casey Pinion, 14-2; 184 Tyson Thivierge (N) pinned James Messenger, 4:08; Hwt Dane Jacobsen (N) over Ted Smith, 13-3; Second Hwt match Turk Lords (N) pinned Ted Smith.
