Lights take the next step on the mat

The Montana State University-Northern wrestling team is still a week away from starting its 2015-16 season. But tonight, inside the Armory Gymnasium, the Lights will take an important step in preparation for the new year.

MSU-N will hold its annual Maroon/Gold Dual tonight at 7, and many of the matches will have an impact on Northern's dual lineup for the upcoming season. And it's also a chance for the Lights to not only showcase their depth, but also get more mat time before the regular season begins for real next weekend.

"This team has the most depth we've had since I've been here," Thivierge said. "We have 30 guys in the room, and it's been really competitive so far. With the exception of two weight classes, we're going to be loaded with depth throughout our roster. We had the best recruiting class we've had since I've been here, and from the bottom, to the middle to the top of our lineup, we've got 1-2s at almost every weight. So this team has a lot of potential. And it's a really fun group to coach."

Some of Northern's top spots in its lineup are already solidified, as the Lights begin the year ranked No. 5 in the NAIA Coaches Poll. Among those top spots already taken is the 197-pound slot, which is held by Garrett DeMers. An NAIA runner-up as a sophomore, DeMers begins this season ranked No. 1 in the country at 197.

In all, the Lights start the season with seven ranked wrestlers, including senior Toby Cheff, who is ranked second at heavyweight. That's a loaded weight class for the Lights, which also have junior college transfer Taylor Kornoely ranked No. 9 at heavyweight. Willie Miller is ranked fifth at 174 pounds, while Brandon Weber and Tommy Cooper are each ranked 10th at 149 and 157, respectively. Andrew Bartell also starts the year ranked 14th at 165 pounds.

But though the Lights have plenty of big guns already set in the lineup, Northern's depth means many grapplers will be vying for spots in the lineup, and those wrestle-offs will take place tonight. At 133 pounds, a pair of freshmen in Blake Ivie and Matt Weber will square off, though Weber will eventually move up to 141. At 149, Drake Randall will get a shot at Brandon Weber in what should be a good match, while there is also heated competition at 184. Former Carroll football player Jake French and former Lights football player Dace Fisher are vying for a varsity spot there. Depth is also key at 197 pounds, as former Havre Blue Pony Casey Schaub is battling with Steven Hiatt and Adam Hokenson for a spot, too.

And those are just some of the exciting matches that will take place tonight, as Northern gets its last chance to compete before next weekend's season-opening Trapper Open in Powell, Wyoming.

"It's a deep team," Thivierge said. "We have 20 guys really vying for 12 spots come the postseason. So that's a pretty good problem to have as a coach. And we have a little of everything. We have experience, we have No. 1 guys, we have balance throughout our dual lineup, and we have a bunch of young guys who are willing to work hard and try and earn their keep."