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Lights pin Raiders

Northern wins big road showdown with NAIA rival Southern Oregon

The Montana State University-Northern Lights have competed in some big duals already this wrestling season. And the Lights found themselves in another one Thursday night in Oregon.

The fifth-ranked Lights were on the road to battle arch rival, and seventh-ranked Southern Oregon in a key West Region Showdown — a showdown the Lights wound up winning handily. MSU-N got bonus points and a pair of close decisions to beat the Raiders 23-13 on their own mat.

"We wrestled very well tonight," MSU-N head coach Tyson Thivierge said. "We took the fight to them, and it was a back-and-forth, fun dual. Our horses in the upper weights did what they needed to do."

Indeed. The Lights got dominant performances, including a pin by top-ranked Ben Stroh at 184, and a major decision by Taylor Kornoely at heavyweight. But also in the upper weights, true freshman Steeler French pulled off a big win at 174 pounds, securing a take down with :30 left in the match to win 4-3.

"He's gotten better week by week," Thivierge said about his standout from Choteau.

At 165 pounds, Andrew Bartel also scored a key win for the Lights, earning a hard-fought 1-0 decision, while Matt Weber, ranked No. 2 at 141, also got a huge win over 13th-ranked Devin Poppen in the match of the night. Weber scored a three-point comeback in the final 15 seconds to pick up a 10-8 win over Poppen. The dual also got started on the right foot as Rob Pair earned a major decision at 125 pounds.

"I'm really pleased with our effort tonight," Thivierge said. "It was a great dual and a great win. Now, on to the Reno."

The Lights will close out 2016 Sunday when they take part in the prestigious Reno Tournament of Champions in Reno, Nevada.

The Lights' next, and final home dual will come Jan. 12 when they host the Dickinson State Blue Hawks at the Armory Gymnasium.

Lights 23, Southern Oregon 13

125 — Rob Pair, MSU-N maj. dec. Ian Rodgers, 13-1; 133 — Louis Dix dec. Dylan Lockwood, MSU-N, 7-2; 141 — Mattt Weber, MSU-N dec. Devin Poppen, 10-8; 149 — Tyler Cowger dec. Drake Randall, MSU-N, 6-1; 157 — Hunter Hodges dec. Tommy Cooper, MSU-N, 12-5; 165 — Andrew Bartel, MSU-N dec. Aaron DeMay, 1-0; 174 — Steeler French, MSU-N dec. Andrew Orr, 4-3; 184 — Ben Stroh, MSU-N pinned Max Hayne, 0:00; 197 — Tanner Fischer maj. dec. Dace Fisher, MSU-N, 10-0; HWT — Taylor Kornoely, MSU-N, maj. dec. Alejandro Sandoval, 12-3.

 

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