Lights pinned by NIC

In 2012, the Montana State University-Northern wrestling season got off to a rocky start, as the Lights were beaten by North Idaho College in a season-opening dual in Havre.

Despite that start, things worked out pretty well for the Lights last season, as they finished third at the NAIA national tournament. Now, Northern hopes the same will be true this season, because once again, the Cardinals, a NJCAA powerhouse, handed the Lights a season-opening loss.

Northern lost to North Idaho 30-16 in a dual Saturday afternoon in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, though MSU-N was missing some key parts to its lineup and also gave up a forfeit at 149 pounds. Still, veteran head coach Tyson Thivierge made no excuses. Instead, he simply said his team didn’t compete at the level they are capable of against the Cardinals.

“We had many hiccups and never got the full momentum of what we are capable of doing,” Thivierge said “We aren't taking anything away from the 14-time national champion NIC squad, but we just didn't bring it.”

The Lights did bring it initially, as sophomore, and former Havre Blue Pony Duell Stadel got things rolling with pin at 125 pounds. Senior Cameron Neiss got Northern even more points with a decision at 133, but from there, Northern didn’t win again until Jared Miller and Kody Reed scored back-to-back victories at 174 and 184 pounds, respectively. Still, it wasn’t enough as the Lights lost by fall at both 197 and heavyweight, and earlier, star junior Ethan Hinebauch was beaten by a late pin at 165.

The loss was Northern’s second straight to NIC and the third in the last four seasons. However, the season is young, and the Light shave plenty of time to build momentum. That trek will start this Saturday when Northern wrestles at the Cowboy Open in Laramie, Wyo.

North Idaho 30, Lights 16

125 – Duell Stadel, MSU-N pinned Jared Miller, 4:19; 133 – Carlos Lozoya dec. Aaron LaFarge, MSU-N, 4-3; 141 – Cameron Neiss, MSU-N dec. Terrance McKinney, 5-3; 149 – NIC won by FFT; 157 – Jeremy Golding dec. Mickey Cheff, MSU-N, 11-8; 165 – Nico Moreno pinned Ethan Hinebauch, MSU-N, 5:14; Jared Miller, MSU-N dec. Jonathen Dennis, 13-7; 184 – Kody Reed, MSU-N maj. dec. Rowland Gaydoski, 10-2; 197 – V.J. Guilo pinned Garret DeMers, MSU-N, 2:02; HWT – Taylor Mormoley pinned Jorrell Jones, MSU-N, 4:06.