Mat Time in Havre: Lights come home, but to the Pony Corral

The last time the Montana State University-Northern wrestling team wrestled in the Armory Gymnasium was a Nov. 19 win against Southern Oregon. And while Northern is still a few days away from making its return to the Armory when the Lights host arch rival UGF next Wednesday, they are finally back in Havre.

Tonight, the No. 2 Lights begin a three-dual stretch to finish the regular season when they take on the Embry-Riddle Eagles in a special dual at the Havre High gymnasium. The dual, which precedes Saturday's Eastern A Divisional at HHS, will start at 7.

And Northern is more than excited for the opportunity to wrestle in Havre once again. Head coach Tyson Thivierge's team has been on the road since that win over SOU, and in recent weeks, the Lights have really been picking up steam. The Lights, who sport an 8-1 record in duals this season, had last week off, but since they returned from Christmas break, they have recorded team titles at the Missouri Valley Invite and the Tyler Plummer Classic, as well as a dual win over nationally ranked Dickinson State.

Now, the Lights return to the mat against a West Region rival. So far this season, the Lights are perfect against regional opponents, as MSU-N has beaten SOU, UGF and Menlo College. And while the Eagles aren't currently in the NAIA Top 20, they won't be a pushover for Northern's highly-talented bunch.

Embry-Riddle brings three nationally ranked grapplers into tonight's dual, with Andrew Burr ranked No. 9 at 141 pounds, Brenn Scheiss at No. 11 at 157 pounds and Jacob Gardiner ranked No. 15 at 133 pounds.

Those three set up some intriguing matches tonight against the Lights, who currently sport seven wrestlers ranked in the most recent NAIA Coaches Poll.

At 141 pounds, fifth-ranked Matt Weber has been part of a spectacular season by MSU-N's freshman class, and his match against Burr should be a good one for the regional rankings. Brandon Weber, who's bumped up to 157 pounds recently, is coming off a win at the Tyler Plummer Classic, and that sets up a good match against Scheiss, while Blake Ivie, another true frosh, who's spent time in the rankings, will battle Gardiner at 133 pounds.

Other potential matches tonight include more looks at Northern's exciting freshman, as well as MSU-N's veterans in the upper weights.

Fifth-ranked Qunitel Fuchs or teammate Mhar Caballa, who also won a title two weeks ago in Dickinson, North Dakota, will see Chandler Strand at 125 pounds, while 11th-ranked Drake Randall will take on Anton King at 149 pounds.

As usual, the Lights will have the upper hand in the upper weights. Andrew Bartel or Jim Malone will take on Taylor Damico at 165 pounds, while Dace Fisher will battle Colby May at 184 pounds. Top-ranked Garrett DeMers is set to face Brett Przekop at 197 pounds, and either second-ranked Toby Cheff or third-ranked Taylor Kornoely could go tonight against David Rupp in the heavyweight match. Senior Willie Miller is ranked seventh for the Lights at 174 pounds, but he's expected to pick up a forfeit tonight.

And while the Lights won't overlook the Eagles tonight, it's certainly a prelude to a huge week upcoming for Northern. After MSU-N is done with the Eagles, the Lights can look forward to their rematch with UGF, which will be in the Armory next Wednesday, and of course, Northern will close out its home schedule with the highly-anticipated meeting with the legendary University of Iowa Hawkeyes next Friday night.

Tonight's dual between Northern and Embry-Riddle will start at 7 inside the HHS gymnasium.