Isaac Bartel shines at Cowboy Open

The Montana State University-Northern wrestling team made its long-awaited season debut at Saturday's Cowboy Open in Laramie, Wyoming.

Northern head coach Tyson Thivierge sent 12 Lights into action at the tournament, which featured a slew of NCAA Division I teams, as well as both Elite and Amateur brackets.

Northern junior Isaac Bartel paced the Lights with an outstanding third-place finish at 197 pounds. Bartel opened the tournament with a pair of major decisions to advance to the semifinals. He was then defeated by Jacob Seely of Northern Colorado, 11-9. In the consolation bracket of the tournament, Bartel went 2-0 to finish third overall.

Bartel was one of six Lights to wrestle in Elite brackets Saturday.

Rob Pair went 0-2 at 125 pounds, while Nick Kunz and Landon Bailey each lost twice at 133 pounds. Chase Short did pick up a victory at 174 pounds, going 1-2 on the day, while Tony Evans went 0-2 at 149 pounds.

In the Amatuer brackets, heavyweight Xavier Moran scored a win, going 1-2 on the day, while Brock Bushfield picked up a win by fall at 157 pounds.

Also competing for the Lights in Wyoming was, Carl Cronin at 133 pounds, Clayton Currier at 141, and Rylan Moldenhauer at heavyweight.

The Lights will now get ready for Thursday's huge rivalry dual against the Providence Argos in Great Falls. MSU-N makes its home debut Nov. 12.