Bison Ready for Challenge at Boise State, No. 20 Oregon State
The North Dakota State University wrestling team (4-3) returns to the road this weekend for non-conference duals at Boise State on Friday, Jan. 17, and at No. 20-ranked Oregon State on Sunday, Jan. 19.
Senior 165-pounder Steven Monk is ranked third in the nation in the latest individual rankings released by Intermat and Amateur Wrestling News (AWN) this week, making him the highest-ranked wrestler in school history. Monk owns a record of 18-1 on the season and is riding an 11-match winning streak.
Bison sophomore Hayden Zillmer reached a new personal high in the rankings as well this week, coming in at No. 12 at 174 pounds by AWN and No. 13 by Intermat.
As a team, the Bison came in at No. 22 in the Intermat rankings, which order teams based on their projected NCAA Championships finish. NDSU has won four of its last five duals, and all three defeats this season have come against top-20 opponents.
Live Video at Boise State | Live Scoring at Boise State
Live Scoring at Oregon State
Boise State Preview
Friday’s dual in Boise will be held inside Taco Bell Arena at 7 p.m. (MT)/8 p.m. (CT). Boise State is currently ranked 21st in the Intermat tournament-strength rankings, but the Broncos dropped out of the USA Today/NWCA/AWN Division I Coaches Poll this week.
Individually, Boise State has a pair of ranked wrestlers. Senior Jake Swartz is ranked sixth nationally at 184 pounds by AWN and seventh by Intermat. Senior J.T. Felix (285 pounds) is ranked sixth nationally by Intermat and eighth by AWN.
Click Here: New Zealand rugby store
NDSU owns a 3-2 edge in the all-time series between the two schools after the Bison and Broncos split a pair of duals last season. NDSU won 24-15 in Fargo on Nov. 16 but lost the rematch by a score of 22-20 at the Virginia Duals on Jan. 12.
Probable Matchups
125: Rami Haddadin, So., (11-6) vs. Hunter Weber, RFr., (9-6)
133: Ben DeMeulle, Sr., (2-6) vs. Justin LaValle, Sr., (7-6)
141: Travis Himmelman, So., (10-7) vs. Clay Cathey, RFr., (13-10)
149: Chris Castillo, So., (10-5) vs. Tyler Diamond, Sr., (7-9)
157: Holden Packard, Jr., (9-8) vs. Nick Olejnik, Fr., (6-10)
165: Steven Hernandez, Jr., (1-2) vs. No. 3 Steven Monk, Sr., (18-1)
174: Austin Dewey, RFr., (5-7) vs. No. 12/13 Hayden Zillmer, So., (17-4)
184: No. 6/7 Jake Swartz, Sr., (8-1) vs. Kurtis Julson, Jr., (12-6)
197: Cody Dixon, Sr., (13-7) vs. Tyler Lehmann, RFr., (6-1)
285: No. 6/8 J.T. Felix, Sr., (16-2) vs. Evan Knutson, Jr., (11-6)
Oregon State Preview
Saturday’s dual against Oregon State will be held inside Gill Coliseum at 12:30 p.m. (PT)/2:30 p.m. (CT). Oregon State is ranked No. 20 nationally in the latest USA Today/NWCA/AWN Division I Coaches Poll.
The Beavers have four wrestlers currently ranked in the national top 20: Scott Sakaguchi (No. 17 at 149 pounds), RJ Pena (No. 9 at 157 pounds), Taylor Meeks (No. 12 at 197 pounds) and Amarveer Dhesi (No. 18 at 285 pounds).
Oregon State owns a 4-0 advantage in the series with NDSU, posting wins in 2007, 2009, 2012 and by a 26-11 margin in Fargo on Dec. 9 of last season.
Probable Matchups
125: Joey Palmer, So., (6-3) vs. Hunter Weber, RFr., (9-6)
133: Drew Van Anrooy, So., (7-11) vs. Justin LaValle, Sr., (7-6)
141: Joey Delgado, RFr., (9-7) vs. Clay Cathey, RFr., (13-10)
149: No. 17 Scott Sakaguchi, Sr., (19-7) vs. Tyler Diamond, Sr., (7-9)
157: No. 9 RJ Pena, Sr., (23-4) vs. Nick Olejnik, Fr., (6-10)
165: Toney Chay, So., (15-8) vs. No. 3 Steven Monk, Sr., (18-1)
174: Joe Latham, Jr., (14-7) vs. No. 12/13 Hayden Zillmer, So., (17-4)
184: Austin Morehead, Sr., (9-2) vs. Kurtis Julson, Jr., (12-6)
197: No. 12 Taylor Meeks, Jr., (18-4) vs. Tyler Lehmann, RFr., (6-1)
285: No. 18 Amarveer Dhesi, Fr., (12-4) vs. Evan Knutson, Jr., (11-6)