Lights finish fourth at Spokane Open

The Montana State University-Northern Lights officially put the first month of the 2019-2020 wrestling season to rest.

Sunday, the No. 18 Lights were in Spokane for the Spokane Open, which features NAIA teams and more from around the Northwest. The Lights scored 114 points to finish fourth, while they also sent nine grapplers to the podium. In all, 16 Northern wrestlers competed in Spokane.

Leading the way for Northern was junior Isaac Bartel, who won the 197-pound title with a victory of Providence rival John Hensley in the championship match. The win was Bartel’s second tournament title of the season.

The Lights had four wrestlers reach the finals, with Nick Kunz placing second at 133 pounds, Clayton Currier finishing second at 141 and Dylan Veis placing second at 149 pounds.

Northern also had a strong contingent of wrestlers reach the consolation finals,including freshman Carl Hansen, who finished third at 184 pounds. Chase Short finished fourth at 174 pounds, as did Lane Paulson at 149, Carl Cronin at 133 and Landon Bailey at the same weight.

Rob Pair (125), Tony Evans (149), Caden Hilliard (157), Trey Meyer (165), Isaac Casey (165), Cody Golding (184) and Rylan Moldenhauer (HWT) also competed in the Spokane Open.

The Lights will return to action Dec. 6 at the Argo Duals and Dec. 7 at the Battle fo the Rockies in Great Falls.