MSU-Northern grapplers complete a busy weekend

The Montana State University-Northern wrestling team has reached the holiday break. But, to get there, the Lights had to travel a great distance, and face some fierce competition.

Thursday night, the Montana State University-Northern team traveled to California to take on the Menlo College Oaks in an NAIA dual between nationally ranked rivals. And, the No. 4 Lights prevailed over the No. 12 Oaks, 24-13.

The win improved Northern to 6-1 in duals this season, and head coach Tyson Thivierge's squad hasn't lost to a regional team yet.

In Northern's big win Thursday night, the biggest win came from true freshman Matt Weber, who beat top-ranked Steele Escobado in a 4-2 decision. The win was a huge one for the former Forsyth star who is ranked No. 13 in the NAIA.

Fellow freshmen Blake Ivie (133) and Drake Randall (149) also earned major decisions for the Lights, while Austin Blaede, another freshman, went down to 157 pounds and got a pin for Northern.

MSU-N put the dual away at the upper weights. At 197 pounds, Garrett DeMers, ranked No. 1, pulled off a 7-1 decision in double-overtime, while fourth-ranked heavyweight Taylor Kornoely got a second-period pin.

The Lights then moved on to Sunday's Reno T.O.C. in Reno, Nevada. And once there, Northern put on a great showing.

The Lights saw Toby Cheff (HWT) and DeMers both post fourth-pace finishes, and as a team, Northern finished inside the Top 10 in team scores. The tournament was full of top-rated NCAA Division I teams, including five that are currently nationally ranked.

The Lights will now be off from competition until they travel to the Missouri Valley Invite in January.

Montana State-Northern 24, Menlo College 13

#5 Troy Lakin (MC) Maj. Dec. Quintel Fuchs (MSUN) 16-5

#11 Blake Ivie(MSUN) Maj. Dec. Logan Eaton (MC) 14-2

#13 Matt Weber (MSN) Dec. Steele Escobedo 4-2

#14 Drake Randall (MSUN) Maj. Dec. Jeff Uyesaka (MC)14-2

Austin Blaede(MSUN) pin Jimmy Liscombe (MC) 2:48

Joseph Jauregui (MC) Dec. #8 Andrew Bartel (MSUN)8-2

#7 Justin Lozano Dec. #4 Willie Miller (MSUN) 8-7

Nate Rodriguez (MC) Dec. Dace Fisher (MSUN) 7-2

#1 Garrett DeMers (MSUN) Dec. Kenny Steers (MC) 7-1 2OT

#4 Taylor Kornoely (MSUN) pin Brady Riveria (MC) 4:35