MINOT, N.D. – Back at home for the first time in 2 months, the Minot State wrestlers put on a show to remember for the fans.
Nathan Baca and
Cayden White both won by pin while teammates
Oscar Nellis and
Jake Swirple battled to thrilling overtime victories as the Beavers cruised past Minnesota State Moorhead, 34-5 in an NSIC dual.
The Beavers now get two days off before hosting their next NSIC match against in-state rivalry and No. 11-ranked the University of Mary at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
The night started with a thriller as Nellis found himself in a 7-7 tie at the end of regulation time with Clayson Mele in their 125-pound match, but a takedown early in overtime gave Nellis the win and the Beavers (6-5 duals, 1-2 NSIC) the early match lead.
"I got off to a good start, I was up by a few points then the kid started coming back," Nellis said. "Being on this team for six years I realized I've got to be a role model for the next matches."
Nellis set the tone with his takedown for the win in overtime, then
James Davis followed with a 15-7 win at 133 pounds.
"The crowd was loud and I was just ready to go," said Davis.
Ethan Wonser tacked on a 6-4 decision to push Minot State in front 10-0 before the lone loss of the night at 149, but the Beavers bounced back with their first pin, by Baca, with 2 seconds left in the first round of his 157-pound match.
"I felt an opportunity present itself and I took it, and it was nice to get the pin," Baca said.
Comfortably in front 16-5, the Beavers kept adding win after win as
Brendan Barnes gutted out an 11-10 decision at 165, then
Brody Mohr picked up an 8-4 decision at 174 for a 22-5 edge.
White then added an exclamation point to the night with his pin 10 seconds into the second round at 184 for a commanding 28-5 Minot State lead.
But the Beavers weren't done as
Dustin Swisher scored a 2-0 decision at 197, then Swirple sent the crowd home happy with a thrilling, 4-1 win in double overtime at heavyweight.