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After passing a quiz, Lights wrestlers now move on to a test
By Ryan Divish/Havre Daily News Sports Editor/rdivish@havredailynews.com
According to Montana State University-Northern wrestling coach David Ray,
last weekend was just a quiz. This weekend is a test for his wrestlers.
The Lights are coming off a strong showing with an easy dual win over
Sitanka-Huron University and an even more impressive showing at the Northwest
College Invitational with 13 wrestlers placing in the top five.
But this weekend the Lights head to the always tough University of Wyoming
Cowboy Open in Laramie on Saturday.
Northern prepared for the weekend with a bit of a pop quiz on Thursday,
defeating Western Wyoming College 30-12 in a dual match in Rock Springs, Wyo.
Northern lost a pair of tight matches and surrendered a forfeit at 125, but
dominated the remaining matches.
Senior Caleb Schaeffer picked up a pin at 133 while Chris Smith (141),
Anthony Haukenberry (149), Kyle Fisher (184), Mazi Burke (197) and Emmett
Wilson (HWT) picked up strong decisions.
The dual win was nice, but it was just a
tune-up for the real test on Saturday at the Cowboy Open, which features
close to 20 teams, with NCAA Division I schools Boise State, Wyoming and
Oregon competing.
"This is definitely a test," Ray said. "On last week's quiz we
scored a 90 percent. I want to know how we'll score this weekend. Will it be
70 percent, 80 percent? I want to find out because this a regular test, not a
quiz."
The Cowboy Open features two divisions: the open and the 20 and under.
Northern will have plenty of wrestlers in both.
Willson returns to defend his title at 197 pounds. Willson was named the
tournament's outstanding wrestler last year, and Ray expects nothing less.
"Emmett should be right there again," Ray said. "He just has
to stay focused."
Transfer Stryder Davis is also a returning champion. Davis won the 157-pound
division last year for North Idaho College and is the favorite to win it
again.
Besides the returning champs, Ray has high hopes for seniors Fisher and
Schaeffer. Both wrestlers were in contention last season and should contend
in their respective weight classes.
"Caleb needs to believe he should win his weight because he can,"
Ray said. "I'd like to see Kyle put together some good matches and
contend."
The rest of Northern's wrestlers will be competing in the 20 and under
division. Ray feels he has some contenders at several weight classes. Burke
at 197, Chase Gormley at heavyweight, Haukenberry at 149 and Smith at 141
could very easily find themselves in championship matches.
"It's a tough tourney," Ray said, "with all of those Division
I schools and there will be some good Division II schools there as well. I
think this year the competition will be the best its been.
"It's good for us to see where we're at physically and mentally and use
this to hone our skills. It's going to be a tough test. We'll see if they
pass it."
MSU-Northern def. Western Wyoming College 30-12
125 - Jeremy Baker,WWC win by forfeit; 133 - Caleb Schaeffer, MSUN pinned
Lyle Evans, 5:34; 141 - Chris Smith, MSUN def. Mark Fischer 10-4; 149
-Anthony Haukenberry, MSUN def. Randy Nelson 8-1; 157 - Stryder Davis, MSUN
win by forfeit; 165 - Nick Larson, WWC def. Aaron Jensen 3-0; 174 - Mike
Casperson, WWC def. David Waters 5-4 OT; 184 - Kyle Fisher, MSUN def. Luke
Kjar 13-1; 197 - Mazi Burke, MSUN def. Colt Hamilton 15-3; HWT - Emmett
Willson, MSUN def. John Fager 17-4.
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