News you can use
News you can use
Former MSU-Northern national champion Brandon Weber, above, competes in the 2018 Alumni Dual. This Saturday, Weber will be on the other side when, after a glorious career on the mat for the Lights, he joins the Alumni Team to wrestle against the current Lights. The Alumni Dual will start at 2 p.m. Saturday inside the Armory Gymnasium.
The annual Montana State University-Northern Alumni Dual always serves a pair of purposes for Northern head coach Tyson Thivierge.
First, the dual, and the weekend in general, is a way to bring Northern's glorious past, of which Thivierge has been a part of both as a wrestler and coach, together. But the second reason the weekend, and the dual itself is so big is, it's a jumping off point for the Lights, who are getting set to embark on their 2019-2020 season.
Northern will use the Alumni Dual, which is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. as its first competitive matches of the new season, a season in which the Lights will again be one of the top teams in the NAIA.
Northern returns a plethora of standouts from last year's team, including two-time NAIA All-American Isaac Bartel, at 197 pounds. Also back are veterans like Nick Kunz at 125 pounds, Landon Bailey at 133, Tony Evans at 141, Chase Short at 174, Steeler French at 184 and Jase Stokes at heavyweight. The Lights also have plenty of depth and young talent waiting in the wings, so expect big things from Northern when the Lights step on the mat to begin the season Nov. 2 at the Cowboy Open in Laramie, Wyoming.
Of course, Northern fans will get their first look at the Lights when they battle the prestigious Alumni team Saturday.
The Alumni squad features a boatload of past MSU-N greats, including former NAIA national champions Evan Hinebauch, Brandon Weber and Ben Stroh. Former All-Americans Austin Ouelette, Duell Stadel, Tay Todd, Bobby Mantle, Willie Miller, Andrew Bartel, Matt Weber and Ethan Hinebauch are also expected to compete, as are former Lights Kieton Keller, Ryan Shelstad, Colter Dimas and current Havre Blue Pony head coach Beau LaSalle.
The 2019 Alumni Dual will start at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Armory Gymnasium. The Lights will then hold their annual Maroon/Gold Dual Wednesday night, before kicking off the regular season next month in Laramie.
Northern 2019-20 Wrestling Schedule
Oct. 12 Alumni Dual
Oct. 16 Maroon/Gold Dual
Nov. 2 at Cowboy Open
Nov. 7 at Providence
Nov. 9 at Trapper Open
Nov. 12 vs Southern Oregon
Nov. 21 vs Warner Pacific
Nov. 24 at Spokane Open
Dec. 6 at Argo Duals
Dec. 7 at Battle of the Rockies
Dec. 13 at Eastern Oregon in Reno
Dec. 15 at Reno TOC
Jan. 7 at Dickinson State
Jan. 17-18 at Missouri Valley Invite
Jan. 25 at Tyler Plummer Classic
Feb. 7 vs Northwest College
Feb. 8 vs Embry-Riddle
Feb. 13 vs Providence (Billings)
Feb. 21-22 Cascade Conference Tournament in Atherton, California
March 6-7 NAIA nationals in Wichita, Kansas
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