Kari Gibb/MDN MSU redshirt junior, and Tioga native, Ethan Wonser battled Minnesota State, Mankato’s Colton Hush at 141-lbs in NSIC action for the Beavers at home in the Dome on Monday, January 6.

The Beaver seniors did just what you expect seniors to do: Lead the way with wins.

Wayne Joint, Cannon Potts, and Jake Swirple each got their hand raised after a victory on Monday night, January 6, leading the charge for the Minot State University (MSU) men’s wrestling team, but it wasn’t quite enough as visiting Minnesota State, Mankato won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) dual 31-14 at the MSU Dome.

MSU (2-2 duals, 0-2 NSIC) is back in action on the road this weekend, competing in a dual hosted by Bismarck State College on Saturday, January 11.

Monday’s match started out close as the visiting Mavericks (6-1, 3-0) got an early win by pin, but the Beavers bounced right back thanks to Joint at 133 pounds as he racked up five takedowns on his way to a 17-2 technical fall victory over Chase Beckett.

Looking to build off that win, Ethan Wonser turned in a great effort in his 141-pound match with Colton Hush as the two battled even through seven minutes of action, deadlocked 4-4.

But in sudden-death overtime, Hush scored a quick takedown and a 4-point near fall to claim the victory and ignite the Mavericks, who won the next five matches as well to take a commanding 31-5 lead in the dual.

With the team win out of reach, Beaver seniors Potts and Swirple hunkered down and battled for MSU in the final two bouts.

Potts scored a win by pin in 2 minutes, 28 seconds over Grant Cook at 197 pounds, then Swirple fought his way to a 7-0 shutout decision against Tanner Gaffey at 285 pounds, giving the Beavers a satisfying finish to the day and the final nine team points of the dual.