Lights meet Raiders on the mat Thursday night

The Montana State University-Northern Lights love wrestling on their home mat. The Armory Gymnasium is a big advantage for the Lights. And Thursday night, they'll use that advantage in a big home dual.

The No. 18 Lights host Cascade Conference rival Southern Oregon Thursday at 7 p.m. in what will be a key dual as Northern starts a big weekend.

Head coach Tyson Thivierge's team is off to a great start this season, and is unbeaten in the CCC, including last month's win over Providence in Havre. Tonight, Northern will try and move that streak forward behind veteran stalwarts like top-ranked Isaac Bartel at 197 pounds, Chase Short, who's ranked ninth at 165 but certain to move up in the new rankings, as well as veteran Nick Kunz at 133 pounds.

MSU-N's lineup is also deep an talented. As expected, former Havre Blue Pony Martin Wilkie is off to a great start at 141 pounds, while another Pony, Connor Harris, is wrestling really well at 157 pounds. Freshman Colby Schriever has also looked strong at 149 pounds, while veteran Caleb Frank mans the 125-pound spot.

In the upper weights, NaKoda Siegel has been beast early on ay 174 pounds, while Carl Hansen has pretty much been the same at 184. The Lights are also deep at 285, led by senior Rylan Moldenhauer.

As good as the Lights are, and they are good, SOU won't be a pushover. The Raiders are also ways tough, and will be again, with the likes of Francisco Barrera (125), Justin Coon (133), J.J. Talavera (149), Aaron Gardera (157), Layn Pannkuk (165), Noah Talavera (174), Antoni Garcia (197) and Brian Jenkins (285), among the top wrestlers for the Raiders.

Thursday's dual will also be the last home for the Lights this year. Northern won't be back in the Armory until Jan. 12 when the Lights host Dickinson State.

The dual between Northern and Southern Oregon starts Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Armory Gymnasium. The Lights also travel to Great Falls Saturday for the annual Battle of the Rockies.