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Montana State University-Northern senior Matt Weber is ranked No. 1 in the NAIA at 141 pounds. Weber and the Lights close out the 2018 portion of their schedule with a Cascade Conference dual at Southern Oregon tonight, as well as the Reno Tournament of Champions on Thursday.
The Montana State University-Northern Lights haven't competed on the wrestling mat since Dec. 1. But the Lights are about to get back at it in a major way.
Northern has a dual and a tournament left on its 2018 schedule, and the action starts tonight when the third-ranked Lights take on No. 15 Southern Oregon in a Cascade Conference Dual in Oregon.
The Lights didn't move in the latest NAIA Coaches Poll, released last week, but, the Raiders are coming on strong. They moved into the poll for the first time this season, and that makes tonight's dual another exciting one for the Lights, who are undefeated in conference duals so far this season.
Northern brings nine ranked wrestlers into tonight's matchup with the Raiders, including Matt Weber who remains ranked on top at 141 pounds, as well as Brandon Weber (157), Chris Nile (174) and Isaac Bartel (197), who are all ranked No. 2 at their respective weight classes. Northern also boasts Nick Kunz ranked No. 9 at 125, Landon Bailey at No. 12 at 133, Andrew Bartel, ranked fifth at 165, Chase Short, ranked 13th at 174 and Jase Stokes, ranked No. 12 at heavyweight. Stokes is making his debut in the NAIA rankings this week.
Southern Oregon has five ranked wrestlers, including Tanner Fisher ranked No. 4 at 197. He and Isaac Bartel have a big rivalry going. Hunter Hodges is ranked at 157, and he and Brandon Weber have quite a bit of history as well.
Tonight's dual is a big one for the Lights, who are looking to keep their stranglehold on the Cascade Conference heading into the new year, but, Northern won't be done wrestling this week either. On Thursday, MSU-N is in Reno, Nevada for the prestigious Reno Tournament of Champions. The event will feature over 30 teams, including NCAA Division I stalwarts like Oklahoma State, American University, Arizona State and Michigan State. A host of DII schools will also be there, as will quality NAIA powers, including five-time defending national champion Grand View.
Regardless of who is at the Reno T.O.C., it's a great opportunity for Northern's wrestlers to go up against outstanding competition. The T.O.C. also bills itself as the toughest tournament in college wrestling, and it's a good way for Northern to go into the holiday break.
The Lights start their road trip with tonight's dual against SOU, which starts at 7 p.m. in Ashland, Oregon. The Reno T.O.C. will be held all day Thursday. Northern will then be off until its Jan. 10 dual with Minot State, which will take place in Forsyth.
NAIA Coaches Poll
1 1 Grand View (Iowa) 202
2 2 Indiana Tech 160
3 3 MSU-Northern 130
4 4 Cumberlands (Ky.) 104
5 5 Providence (Mont.) 84
6 14 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 83
7 7 Life (Ga.) 80
8 9 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 79
9 11 Midland (Neb.) 76
10 6 Menlo (Calif.) 74
11 13 Oklahoma City 69
12 8 Williams Baptist (Ark.) 65
13 16 Reinhardt (Ga.) 64
14 17 Southeastern (Fla.) 63
15 18 Marian (Ind.) 59
15 15 Campbellsville (Ky.) 59
15 NR Southern Oregon 59
18 9 Baker (Kan.) 55
19 11 Missouri Valley 51
20 NR Eastern Oregon 47
Receiving votes: Briar Cliff (Iowa) 39, Brewton-Parker (Ga.) 35, Morningside (Iowa) 34, Concordia (Neb.) 33, Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.) 32, Lourdes (Ohio) 31, Northwestern (Iowa) 31, Dickson State (N.D.) 28, Doane (Neb.) 26, Bethany (Kan.) 19, Graceland (Iowa) 16, Kansas Wesleyan 14, Saint Mary (Kan.) 14, Benedictine (Kan.) 12, St. Andrews (N.C.) 12, Ottawa (Kan.) 11, Jamestown (N.D.) 11, Cumberland (Tenn.) 10, Wayland Baptist (Texas) 10, Life Pacific (Ore.) 7, Oklahoma Wesleyan 6, Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) 2, Missouri Baptist 2, Truett-McConnell (Ga.) 2.
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