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Lights split duals; Willson third at Las Vegas

Montana State University-Northern wrestling coach David Ray can't predict the future. But he didn't need to be Kreskin to see the problems that his team incurred this past weekend in Las Vegas.

Having to forfeit matches at the 125 pound and heavyweight divisions, the Lights split a pair of duals against Embry-Riddle and Missouri Valley College.

The Lights lost their first dual meet of the season 25-24 to Missouri Valley College. However, they came back to defeat Embry-Riddle 28-21.

Going into the matches shorthanded, Ray knew his team would have to be near perfect to win the duals. However, his team wasn't exactly perfect.

Against Missouri Valley, the Lights lost three matches in addition to the forfeits. Freshmen Anthony Haukenberry and Aaron Jensen were beaten handily and senior Bobby Mantle was upset by Missouri Valley freshman Donaco Watts.

"We lost matches we shouldn't have," Ray said. "My freshmen wrestled like freshmen. Haukenberry should never get pinned and Bobby has been inconsistent. I know he's capable of a better performance. And that's what's frustrating."

The loss in the dual overshadowed some fine performances. Dustyn Azure wrestled an outstanding match defeating Chad Dolt, who was ranked second at 149. Caleb Schaeffer and Mike Lester won by falls while Emmett Willson picked up a 20-6 victory.

Given the situation, Ray was upset about the loss, but remained realistic.

"If we have a full squad we beat them," Ray said. "Matt Carter (hwt) wrestled their heavyweight in an exhibition and pinned in the first period. That's six points right there."

The Lights shook off the loss and defeated Embry-Riddle in the second dual of the day.

Schaeffer and Kyle Fisher both picked up wins by fall while Willson scored 20 points again. Azure continued his fine wrestling defeating a former junior national champion, Danny Cadwallader, 7-2. Mantle came back after the upset to knock Joe Calavitta 12-7. Callavita was ranked fourth at 149.

"We could have easily lost that dual," Ray admitted. "We had a double forfeit at 125. If they don't forfeit that makes a big difference."

Despite mistakes, Ray isn't blaming one single wrestler for the loss at the duals. Rather, he holds them all acountable. In that fashion wrestling is a team sport.

"Everyone is held accountable," Ray said. "I talked with them about how every little thing in their individual match can affect the team."

After the duals on Thursday, the Lights competed

in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational over the weekend.

The tournament featured some of the top NCAA Division I teams and wrestlers from around the country. The Lights entered seven wrestlers in the tournament with Ray holding out Kyle Fisher because of a bad knee. The seven wrestlers scored well enough to give Northern a 21st place finish.

"If we have Carter and Andy Thompson at 125, we could've easily finished in the top 10," Ray said.

But it was Willson, who stole the show. The junior finished the meet 5-1 finishing third. Along the way, Willson knocked off the number one ranked wrestler at 197, Kyle Smith of Butte. Willson defeated Smith, who competes for Michigan State, 6-1 in the quarterfinals.

Wilson's championship bid came up short when he was defeated 7-6 by Ohio State's Anton Talamantes.

"(Talamantes) controlled the tempo of the match," Ray said. "Emmett felt he should've beaten him. But he wrestled those two duals, and five other matches in two days. I think his body was tired."

Besides Willson, Azure and Mike Lester both finished 3-2 on the weekend. Schaeffer and Haukenberry finished 2-2, while Mantle finished 1-2 and Jensen 0-2.

"It was a good learning experience," Ray said. "Sometimes it can be discouraging, but it can also be a positive. They know they can compete with anyone."

Northern will be in action Thursday night as they host Northwest College in a dual meet at the MSU-Northern gymnasium.

 

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