MSU-N seniors go out with a rivalry

The last time a wrestler steps out on his home mat is special. Senior night is special. But then there’s senior night against your most hated and bitter rival. Now that’s really special.

That’s exactly what a pair of Montana State University-Northern wrestlers will get to experience Wednesday night when the Lights host the Great Falls Argos at the Armory Gymnasium.

The dual between MSU-N and UGF is special for all the right reasons and the two Northern seniors who will be honored have been extremely special, not only to the MSU-N wrestling program, but to the entire MSU-N campus.

Being honored before Wednesday night’s big showdown will be 141-pounder Cameron Neiss and 184-pounder Kody Reed. Together, the duo has been instrumental in helping Northern reach heights which haven’t been seen in a long time.

Neiss, a former Class A state champion from Ronan, has had a quick, but very successful career at MSU-N. He’s a two-time NAIA All-American and a three-time national tournament qualifier. Neiss didn’t redshirt for the Lights and proved valuable right away, reaching the national tournament his freshman season, where he finished seventh at 133 pounds. He dealt with injuries his sophomore season, but came back with a vengeance a year ago. Ranked No. 1 at 133 for much of the season, Neiss reached the national championship match before losing a heartbreaker. Neiss has again been on a tear this season. He moved up to 144 pounds and has been just as dominant. He heads into his final bout in Havre ranked No. 4 in the country and is gunning for that elusive national title before exiting the Northern program.

“He is an extremely competitive individual,” MSU-N head coach Tyson Thivierge said of Neiss. “When it comes to anything, he is up to the challenge. Whether it is an eating competition, a race, a weight cut or anything, he is game. I have never coached such a disciplined individual like Cameron. He is one of a kind and is a very motivated and exceptional individual.”

Reed has spent five years in the Northern program, and mentored under former Lights’ great Evan Hinebauch. But he’s also carved out his own niche, too. He has qualified for the NAIA national tournament twice and though he hasn’t had his best performances on that stage, he’s been no less dominant in his career. He held the No. 1 ranking at 184 for much of last season, and has been ranked among the top 184-pounders all during his senior season. A former Class AA state champion out of Missoula, Reed has also been a leader for the Lights and was part of the foundation of the Lights once again becoming an NAIA power under Thivierge.

“I don’t know what to say about Kody other than I am proud to have coached him,” Thivierge said. “He has come a long ways in his five years here at Northern and our mission is not complete. He is a strong-minded competitor and very strong-willed person. He hates to lose and he hates to disappoint people. He is a great individual, and he has taught me plenty as a coach.”

Together, Neiss and Reed have taught the program plenty and, together, they’ve helped forge a lasting legacy at Northern. As Thivierge said, the mission for both Neiss and Reed is not yet complete. However, the imprint they’ve made on MSU-N wrestling has already been felt, and it will be ever-lasting.

“These two have been like a foundation for this program, as well as the others on the team,” Thivierge said. “They both set the tone with their competitiveness and stubbornness (and that is a good thing). They don’t complain about the grind of the season, weight cutting or travel and that really rubs off on others, especially new recruits and our redshirts. To have guys like them in the room is great for any program because everyone sees it and tries to mimic it through hard work as well.”

Northern’s senior night dual against the Argos is set to start at 7:30 Wednesday night in the Armory Gymnasium. It’s also the last dual of the regular season for both the Lights and Argos.