Mavericks Go 3-1 to Finish Third at NWCA National Duals
1/10/2010 7:08:17 PM
Cedar Falls, Iowa – Twelfth-ranked Minnesota State completed a strong showing at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals, finishing third in the elite 16-team field with a 3-1 record. Following a wins over Western State and West Liberty State on Saturday, the Mavericks fell to top-ranked Nebraska-Omaha 30-6 Sunday morning but rebounded to secure a convincing 36-10 win over Gannon in the afternoon.
The tournament was the first dual action for Minnesota State, now 4-1-0, since a home match against Waldorf on Nov. 11th. The third-place finish was the fourth top-four finish for the Mavericks in as many seasons. Minnesota State won the team title in 2008, finished third in 2009 and fourth in 2007.
Top-ranked and eventual tournament champion Nebraska-Omaha jumped out to a 10-0 lead after three matches before senior All-American Travis Elg (Mountain Lake, Minn.) got MSU on the board with a 12-5 win at 149 pounds. Nebraska-Omaha then pulled away with five straight wins from 157 to 197 pounds. Top-ranked senior Brady Wilson (Faribault, Minn.) finished the dual in strong fashion for Minnesota State, taking a 2-1 decision from third-ranked Elijah Madison. It was his second win for Wilson over Madison this season.
The Mavericks recovered from their first setback of the season with a dominating performance over Gannon in the third-place match, chalking up five falls among their seven matches won. Junior 125-pound All-American Andy Forstner (Madelia, Minn.) got things rolling with a fall at 5:52, followed by 141-pound newcomer Robby Fisher (Bloomington, Minn.) at 5:44. Elg, formerly a 157-pounder, made his mark at 149 with a fall over #8 Kevin McElhaney 1:24 to give the Mavericks all the breathing room they would need. Junior Ben Becker (Fort Dodge, Iowa) and sophomore Aaron Norgren (Mapleton, Minn.) tacked on pins of their own at 174 and 184 pounds, respectively. Wilson would once again square off with a nationally ranked opponent to close the dual. He responded with a convincing 6-0 win over #5 Frank McGrath.
Minnesota State returns to home action after a two-month absence by hosting the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Match time is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Bresnan Arena.