One Special Night on the Mat

The Montana State University-Northern wrestling team has a long road still ahead of it. But one finality in the 2016-17 season is already here.

Tonight, the No. 5 Lights will wrestle at home for the final time this season, when they host the Dickinson State Blue Hawks inside the Armory Gymnasium. And it won’t just be the home finale for the Lights, it will be the last time three Northern seniors wrestle in Havre.

Tommy Cooper (157), Taylor Kornoely (HWT) and Ben Stroh (184) will all be on the mat for the final time at home, and will be honored before the dual, making it an emotional night, not only for them, but for head coach Tyson Thivierge as well.

“I’m excited they are being honored and I’ve been honored to have them compete for MSU-Northern and myself,” Thivierge said. “As always, I feel as if the time goes by too fast and I would give anything to have all three of these young men back year after year.”

Cooper has been at Northern the longest. He has battled injuries and managed to be a stalwart for the Lights over the years.

“Tommy has been a huge asset to our program academically (he has a 3.91 cumulative GPA in civil engineering) and has been at the brink of huge success the last three seasons,” Thivierge said. “I would give anything to see him accomplish his goals at the conclusion of this season.”

Meanwhile, Stroh has only been wrestling for Northern for a few months, after spending three seasons at the University of Wyoming. But he’s a legend on the Hi-Line and has had an immediate impact on the Lights’ program. He’s also ranked No. 2 in the NAIA, and is off to a stellar start in his final year of collegiate wrestling.

“Ben, what can I say about Ben,” Thivierge said. “He is a leader, he puts the time in and he is humble.  He is the atypical athlete a coach looks for.  He is a blast to be around and he makes everyone around him better. I was humbled when he transferred in and I am lucky to sit in his corner every time he steps on the mat.”

Kornoely has also had a big impact on the Northern program. He transferred to MSU-N in 2015 after winning a heavyweight national championship at North Idaho College. He’s currently ranked No. 2 this season and was the NAIA runner-up a season ago.

“Taylor is a kind-hearted and relentless wrestler,” Thivierge noted. “He is super competitive, and he is confident in his abilities.  He has been a huge asset for MSU-Northern as a student as well, serving as a resident advisor in the dorms and is well-liked by anyone he talks with.  He is an active member in the National Guard and someone that leads well. I’m going to miss his uniqueness, kindness and competitiveness.”

Of course, the Lights will miss all three seniors, but they still have some time left in their Northern careers, including tonight’s dual against the Blue Hawks. MSU-N is coming off its holiday break, and is eager to get back on the mat. And while the Blue Hawks don’t come into tonight’s dual quite the NAIA power they have been in recent years, the matchup will still be a tough.

Northern’s lineup tonight will include Rob Par taking on either A.J. Locke or Brice Gorsline at 125 pounds, while Brennon Veis will go against either former Sidney star Gresch Jones or Michal Pajarro at 133. Matt Weber, ranked No. 6 or Dylan Veis will go for the Lights at 141, and wrestle either Clay Smith, Jamie Mullins or Torren Lawson. Drake Randall will compete at 149 for the Lights against either Seth Ehland or Travis Koenig for DSU.

In the upper weights, MSU-N will send out either Cooper, or No. 6 Brandon Weber at 157 against either Sean Elkins or Tate Schwagler. No. 8 Andrew Bartel will man the 165 spot against Devan Williams, while Steeler French will take on Jason Zechini at 174. Stroh will face either Jon Solano or Lane Oversen at 184, while Lee Cannon will battle Payson Dirk at 197. In the finale, Kornoely will wrestle Ethan Goss Dickie for the Blue Hawks.

“This is just one dual, and we have around two months to put everything together in order to accomplish our individual and team goals,” Thivierge said. “The entire team is working hard, and I feel like we are right on pace to accomplish big things.”

Tonight’s senior night dual between the Lights and Blue Hawks will start at 7 in the Armory Gymnasium. Northern then heads to the Missouri Valley Invitational Jan. 20-21.