Lights head west for big rivalry duals, Reno T.O.C.

This week won't just be a big one for the Montana State University-Northern wrestling team - it will be a busy one.

The Lights, ranked No. 20 in the latest NAIA Coaches Poll, will travel west to wrestle Cascade Conference rival Southern Oregon tonight in Ashland, Oregon, followed by a pair of duals and the Reno T.O.C. this weekend in Reno, Nevada.

The Lights come into the road trip after a week of rest. Northern dominated its way through the Battle of the Rockies two weeks ago in Great Falls, and now, the Lights are excited to get back to conference dual action. Coming into the big trip, the Lights will have Martin Wilkie ranked No. 6 at 149 pounds, Connor Harris ranked No. 22 at 157 pounds, Devin Crawford ranked No. 21 at 165, NaKoda Siegel ranked No. 3 at 174, while Rylin Burns is ranked No. 22, and Carl Hansen is ranked No. 22 at 197.

Northern's first opponent, SOU, is un-ranked but is just one slot behind the Lights in the coaches poll. Evan Potter is ranked No. 2 in the NAIA at 133 pounds.

After battling the Raiders, the Lights will face a pair of teams that are led by Tyson Thivierge disciples Friday at the NAIA Duals. Northern faces No. 7 Eastern Oregon, led by former Northern standout and assistant coach Dustyn Azure. The Mountaineers are loaded with nationally ranked wrestlers, 10 in all, including three weights were they have multiple grapplers ranked. MSU-N will also face off against St. Ambrose Friday, led by former Light's assistant coach Bo Bettinson. St. Ambrose also includes former Havre High state champion Mick Chagnon, who was a national qualifier a year ago.

Following the two duals in Reno, the Lights will have a day off before competi9ng in the Reno T.O.C. Sunday. The tournament features more than 20 teams from NCAA Division I all the way through NAIA and NJCAA. Top squads in attendance this year include, Oklahoma State, Michigan State, Indiana and Wyoming, as well as NAIA powerhouse Grand View.