MSU-N grapplers fall to powerful North Idaho

The Montana State University-Northern Lights didn't come home following their big win over the University of Great Falls Thursday night at UGF. Instead, MSU-N kept right on going with its season, traveling to Couer d'Alene, Idaho, for a showdown with one of the best junior college wrestling programs in the country.

Saturday night, the fifth-ranked Lights of the NAIA took on North Idaho College, the 11th-ranked team in NJCAA. And though the Lights put up a good fight, the Cardinals came out on top, 22-16.

Northern head coach Tyson Thivierge adjusted his lineup some, resting several starters after the emotional win over the Argos in Great Falls. And right away, the Lights got a key win from Mhar Caballa at 125 pounds, as he earned a decision over NIC's Landon Bailey.

From there however, the Cardinals seized control of the dual. Blake Ivie (133), Matt Weber (141) and Tommy Cooper (157) all lost their matches, with only Drake Randall earning a big win at 149 pounds to keep the Lights well within striking distance.

Northern also gave a forfeit at 165 pounds, which meant MSU-N needed wins in the upper weights to come home with a second straight dual win. But, nationally ranked Willie Miller lost a close, 6-3 decision to NIC's Dajour Reece, the top-ranked 174-pounder in the NJCAA and an NCAA Division prospect. The Lights fell further behind when Dace Fisher couldn't catch up in his match at 184 pounds.

Northern did however, finish with a flurry. Top-ranked Garrett DeMers got a major decision at 197 pounds, and junior Taylor Kornoely, an NJCAA national champion for North Idaho a year ago, tech-alled Damian Trujillo in the heavyweight match.

The Lights will now get set to make their official home debut. On Thursday night, MSU-N will host West Region rival Southern Oregon inside the Armory Gymnasium. The Lights will also go back to Idaho next Saturday for the Cardinal Duals, then travel to Spokane Sunday for the prestigious Spokane Open.

North Idaho 22, Lights 16

125 - Mhar Caballa, MSU-N dec. Landon Bailey, NIC, 9-6; 133 - Isaac Aguilar, NIC maj. dec. Blake Ivie, MSU-N; 141 - Jordan Hall, NIC dec. Matt Weber, MSU-N, 2-1; 149 - Drake Randall, MSU-N maj. dec. Jaren Sumauang, NIC, 10-2; 157 - Alex Aguilar, NIC dec. Tommy Cooper, MAU-N, 11-6; 165 - Ryan Middleton, NIC won by fft; 174 - Dajour Reece, NIC dec. Willie Miller, MSU-N, 6-3; 184 - Chase Campbell, NIC dec. Dace Fisher, MSU-N, 9-6; 197 - Garrett DeMers, MSU-N maj. dec. Killian Estes, NIC, 10-2; HWT - Taylor Kornoely, MSU-N tech. fall. Damian Trujillo, NIC, 17-2.