Round One: Lights battle Argos on the mat

The NAIA wrestling season has just begun. But it's not too early to renew the biggest wrestling rivalry, not only in Montana but in all of the NAIA.

Tonight, the Montana State University-Northern Lights, ranked No. 17 in the NAIA Coaches Preseason Poll, travel to Great Falls to battle the third-ranked University of Providence Argos. And while it's the first meeting since UGF became the University of Providence, the rivalry will be as intense as ever.

"Should be a great atmosphere for college wrestling," Providence head coach and former Northern national champion Caleb Schaeffer said. "I truly believe this is one of the best duals in the country."

Whether in Havre or in Great Falls, the rivalry is one of the best, and the dual usually produces plenty of high drama. And with so many great wrestlers on the mat tonight, the dual should be another one for the ages.

Northern is led by No. 1-ranked 157-pounder Brandon Weber, the defending NAIA national champion. And Weber should get a stern test from seventh-ranked Casey Dobson of UP, as that match could be one of the highlights of the night.

As always, though, there will be plenty of high-profile matches on the card tonight. Matt Weber, ranked eighth at 141 will be a key for the Lights in the lower weights, as he takes on Jaren Komac. And Northern could really stem the tide in some big upper weight matches. At 184 pounds, sophomore Steeler French is ranked No. 18, and he could face 10th-ranked Justin Harbison of UP, or Randy Keesler, ranked eighth at 174 pounds, could move up to face French. At 197 pounds, Northern true freshman Isaac Bartel gets his first taste of the rivalry when he goes head-to-head with fourth-ranked John Hensely.

The upper weights will be especially critical to the Lights, as they will forfeit the heavyweight slot. Andrew Bartel, at 165 is coming off a strong showing at last weekend's Cowboy Open and will face Gage Bentley, while UP sends out sixth-ranked Adrian Lyons to face either Chris Nile or true freshman Chase Short, a Great Falls High product, at 174 pounds.

The dual will start with Northern sending out either Rob Pair or freshman Nick Kunz at 125 pounds against 11th-ranked Isaac Wilson, while whoever doesn't wrestle at 125 will face UP's Eli Watson at 133. Dylan Veis will wrestle for Northern at 149, as he takes on fifth-ranked Shonn Roberts.

So, with a combined 10 wrestlers nationally ranked, and with the rivalry having simmered since the last meeting between the two back in February, tonight's dual is a perfect way to really get the college wrestling season going.

The dual between the Lights and Argos will start at 7 tonight inside the McLaughlin Center in Great Falls.

Northern will then travel to Wyoming for Sunday's Trapper Open, before making its home debut Nov. 16 against Warner Pacific.