Lights battle for the Rockies

The Montana State University-Northern wrestling team has already seen plenty of stiff competition this season. And after one week off, the Lights are right back at it.

Northern, ranked No. 7 in the NAIA, will be in Great Falls this weekend for the annual Battle of the Rockies, a two-day wrestling extravaganza that features both duals, and an invitational tournament.

And in the dual portion of the event, the Lights will face three outstanding teams today including a pair of nationallyranked NAIA opponents. MSU-N — led by star seniors Taylor Kornoely (HWT) and Ben Stroh (184), as well as a healthy Matt Weber, ranked No. 1 at 141 pounds — will first take on No. 11 Lindsey Wilson this afternoon. Things then get even tougher for the Lights as they battle No. 4 Oklahoma City later today. Northern wraps up the dual portion of the tournament with NCAA Division II Minot State tonight.

And while Northern will be tested with its three duals today, the Lights will also get plenty of mat time Saturday when the Battle of the Rockies Open takes place. The tournament will feature wrestlers from MSU-N, host UGF, as well as all of the other teams in attendance, including another DII in McKendree College, as well as other area programs like Northwest College.

This weekend’s action in Great Falls also sets off a busy finish to 2016 for the Lights. Northern will travel to Ashland, Oregon, to take on arch rival Southern Oregon Dec. 15, then move on to the prestigious Reno Tournament of Champions Dec. 18 in Reno, Nevada.

Today’s Battle of the Rockies Duals will be held at UGF’s McLaughlin Center. Saturday’s Battle of the Rockies Open will take place at the CMR Fieldhouse.