MSU-N grapplers back in Wyoming

The Montana State University-Northern Lights got their 2015-16 season off to the kind of start head coach Tyson Thivierge was hoping for. Now, the Lights will really get to test themselves over the next two weeks.

Fifth-ranked Northern travels to Laramie, Wyoming, this Saturday for the annual Cowboy Open. The tournament features the host Wyoming Cowboys, as well as a slew of NCAA Division I squads. The tournament, which will also feature the UGF Argos, is the last chance for the Lights to be on the mat before they head to Great Falls for their annual dual with the Argos next Thursday.

The Cowboy Open is always a good test for the Lights, as their top wrestlers get to compete against high-level competition, while there’s also divisions for red-shirts and young wrestlers alike. This Saturday, Northern brings eight nationally ranked wrestlers into the tournament, including Brandon Weber, ranked 10th at 149, Tommy Cooper, ranked 10th at 157, Andrew Bartel, ranked 14th at 165, Willie Miller, ranked fifth at 174, Garrett DeMers, ranked first at 197 and Toby Cheff, ranked second at heavyweight. Fellow heavyweight Taylor Kornoely is also ranked ninth.

When the new NAIA rankings are released in two weeks, look for the likes of Matt Weber, Drake Randall and Miguel Morales to also jump into the individual rankings as well.

Again, the Cowboy Open is a start of a busy, and competitive stretch for the Lights. When they return from Wyoming, they will prepare for the opening salvo against the Argos, then head to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, next Saturday for a dual against North Idaho. The Lights will then come back home for their home opener, a huge dual against Southern Oregon on Nov. 19.

Saturday’s Cowboy Open begins at 9 a.m. and runs all day in Laramie, Wyoming.