Lights compete in Wyoming

After beating the North Idaho Cardinals last week to open the season, and with two big duals looming this week, the Montana State University-Northern wrestling team was looking to gain mat experience this past Saturday.

        And the fourth-ranked Lights did just that as they competed in the NCAA Division I Cowboy Open in Laramie, Wyoming. The meet was, as expected, tough. But, a handful of Lights found success there, and many more gained valuable mat time.

MSU-N sophomore Andrew Bartel made a stellar run in the 165-pound Elite Division, winning three times to reach the semifinals before falling. That earned Bartel a top-four finish.

Also competing in the Elite Division, Northern senior Ben Stroh, who used to wrestle for the Cowboys, placed fourth overall, with his only two losses coming to the same grappler from Division I Utah Valley State. Brandon Weber also won three straight matches in the consolation bracket of the 157-pound Elite Division before losing out.

In the Amateur Division, heavyweight Adam Hokenson won four times, while freshman Dylan Lockwood reached the quarterfinals at 133 pounds. Brennan Veis also won a match at 133, as did Rob Pair at 125, while Clayton Carter captured two wins at 141 pounds.

The Cowboy Open is always a good early test for the Lights, though they had some key grapplers out of their lineup once again. Now however, with that tourney in the books, Northern will turn its attention to a busy week in the Armory Gymnasium.

The Lights will host arch rival UGF Wednesday night, then take on new NAIA program Eastern Oregon on Friday night. The duals shouldn't be missed as the Lights don't wrestle at home again until January.