MSU-N grapplers crush Raiders

The rivalry between the Montana State University-Northern Lights and the Southern Oregon Raiders turned about to be anything but Tuesday night in Ashland, Oregon.

On the road for a Cascade Conference dual, the No. 3 Lights dismantled the No. 15 Raiders 30-10 to stay unbeaten in conference duals this season. The dual was the first of two stops on Northern's final road trip of 2018, and the Lights were dominant.

Trailing 6-0 after the 125-pound bout, the Lights got a forfeit at 133 pounds, then ripped off seven straight wins, including three major decisions on their way to victory.

Landon Bailey moved up and got the train rolling at 141 pounds with a 5-2 decision, then Tony Evans blasted Devin Poppen 20-7 at 149 pounds. Brandin Weber added a 7-2 win over Chandler Michael at 157, while Andrew Bartel (165) and Chris Nile (174) earned back-to-back major decisions.

The Lights were far from done though.

Chase Short moved up to 184 pounds and scored a 7-3 decision, and in the main event of the dual, Isaac Bartel edged Tanner Fischer 6-4 in a battle of two of the Top 5 197-pounders in all of the NAIA.

The win was a big one for the Lights as they continue to mow down the Cascade competition. Northern has conference duals remaining against Embry-Riddle Jan. 26 in Arizona and Providence Feb. 6 in Great Falls.

First though, the Lights will look to finish 2018 with a bang when they wrestle in the Reno Tournament of Champions Thursday in Reno, Nevada.

Lights 30, Southern Oregon 10

125 - Francisco Barrera, SOU pinned Nick Kunz, 6:59; 133 - Kieton Keller won by FFT; 141 - Landon Bailey dec. Zac Wigzell, SOU, 5-2; 149 - Tony Evans maj. dec. Devin Poppen, SOU, 20-7; 157 - Brandon Weber dec. Chandler Michael, SOU, 7-2; 165 - Andrew Bartel maj. dec. Jeremy Talavera, SOU, 10-2; 174 - Chris Nile maj. dec. Cody Stahl, SOU, 16-2; 184 - Chase Short dec. Calvin McInnis, SOU, 7-3; 197 - Isaac Bartel dec. Tanner Fischer, SOU, 6-4; HWT - Max Hane, SOU maj. dec. Jase Stokes, 16-7.