Lights dominate dual against DSU

Before anyone started to believe that there might be a new wrestling power building in the Northern region, the Montana State University-Northern wrestling delivered a stern message that to become a powerhouse, they will have to through the Lights first.

Northern dominated the Dickinson State Bluehawks in dual action, rolling to a 40-9 win in Dickinson.

The Lights lost just two matches - one being a forfeit - while winning five matches by pins over a beat up and undermanned Bluehawk squad.

After surrendering a forfeit at 125 to go down 0-6, senior Caleb Schaeffer evened the team score and set the tone of the dual with a pin of Casey Farris.

Sophomore Chris Smith followed Schaeffer's performance with a pin of his own over national qualifier A.J. Fonseca at 141 pounds. Smith's pin put Northern up 12-6 and the Lights never looked back.

Northern added three more pins with Stryder Davis sticking Frankie Schoonover at 157, Kyle Fisher pinning Ryan Upchurch at 184 and, as usual, Emmett Willson winning by fall over Justin Hoag at 197.

Anthony Haukenberry defeated national qualifer and former Northern wrestler Kyle Nay 13-6, while Aaron Jensen continued to wrestle well defeating Randy Mayes 10-2 at 165. Mazi Burke added a 10-5 win at heavyweight over Clay Rodgers.

Northern's lone loss came at 174, where Arthur Martinez handed David Waters to tough 7-3 loss.

Although Dickinson was beat up with some injuries and have some guys out academically until after the fall semester, Northern head coach David Ray was still pleased with the results.

"My guys knew they should win this dual and dominate and the majority of them took charge," Ray told the Dickinson Press following the match. "They're (Blue Hawks) down this semester. When they get a couple more guys back next semester they're going to be tougher. Right now they're about 50 percent if that."

With the win, Northern improves its record to 5-0 in duals. The Lights will have a short Thanksgiving break before heading to Las Vegas for duals against Central Washington and Missouri Valley College on Dec. 4 and the Las Vegas Invitational on Dec. 5-6.

MSU-Northern 40, Dickinson St. 9

125 - Mark Johnston, DSU win by forfeit; 133 - Caleb Schaeffer, MSUN pinned Casey Farris 3:23; 141 - Chris Smith, MSUN pinned A.J. Fonseca 4:29; 149 - Anthony Haukenberry, MSUN def. Kyle Nay 13-6; 157 - Stryder Davis, MSUN pinned Frankie Schoonover 2:17; 165 - Aaron Jensen, MSUN def. Randy Mayes 10-2; 174 - Arthur Martinez, DSU def. David Waters 7-3; 184 - Kyle Fisher, MSUN pinned Ryan Upchurch 1:38; 197- Emmett Willson, MSUN pinned Justin Hoag 1:54; HWT - Mazi Burke, MSUN def. Clay Rodgers 10-5.