FARGO, N.D. – The Trojan wrestling team collected three bout wins in the first of two final duals at North Dakota State, falling 30-9 but putting up a fight at several weight classes.
Joseph Bianchi,
Jayden Carson, and
Josiah Hill each claimed decisions, while three other Trojans were within striking distance.
Josiah Hill kickstarted the Trojans with a 9-5 victory by decision at heavyweight, not allowing his opponent a single takedown. The redshirt freshman threw down four takedowns of his own through the match, adding a point for riding time. The win is his 12th on the season.
"Josiah did a great job changing the dual for us," remarked head coach
Neil Erisman. "We started off the first half really slow and flat. I was proud he decided to be the change."
Right after,
Jayden Carson picked up a win at 125 for the Trojans after an explosive first period. After feeling his opponent out, Carson hit a single leg and turned for back points, earning a lead he wouldn't give up. After an escape in the second period, the redshirt sophomore hit one more takedown in the last two minutes to seal the 7-1 decision, marking win number 10 for Carson this season.
"Proud of Jayden tonight," said Coach Erisman. "He got hurt at the beginning of match and still found a way to continue to wrestle. He has not only improved but improved his attitude. He's on a upward trajectory."
As the last bout of the night,
Joseph Bianchi ended the dual in favor of the Trojans. The Two Rivers, Wisconsin native showed his scrappy side, scrambling his way out of several situations before nailing a big takedown and near fall points in the second period, leading to his 4-3 win by decision. The redshirt sophomore tallied his 13th win of the year tonight, the most on the Little Rock team.
"Joey did what we have been on him to do," said Coach Erisman. "He kept pushing through the moments and never let off the gas. Very happy to see that for him."
Meanwhile,
Triston Wills dropped a 9-8 decision at 174 pounds, falling to his ranked opponent after a literal last-second takedown. The result was especially heartbreaking as it followed his first appearance in the second NCAA Coaches Poll,
announced earlier this afternoon.
However, more ranked foes and a chance for redemption are on the horizon for the Trojans: the team has one more match left in the regular season. The Little Rock wrestlers travel to South Dakota State this Sunday for a 1 p.m. dual to close out their dual schedule before the Pac-12 Championships on March 6 in Tempe, Arizona.
"We are going to a tough environment for our last home dual," added Coach Erisman. "The guys have to have a lot of grit going into this match. That's what we are looking for on Sunday and for the remainder of the season...a lot of grit."
RESULTS vs. North Dakota State
157: #6 Jared Franek (NDSU) TF
Austin Keal,16-1 (5:18)
165 - #13 Luke Weber (NDSU) DEC
Tyler Brennan, 6-1
174 - #27 Austin Brenner (NDSU) DEC
Triston Wills, 9-8
184 - DJ Parker (NDSU) MD
Tanner Mendoza, 10-0
197 - #23 Owen Pentz (NDSU) F
Brooks Sacharczyk, 1:19
285 -
Josiah Hill DEC Michael Nelson (NDSU), 9-5
125 -
Jayden Carson DEC Lucas Rodriguez (NDSU), 7-1
133 - #22 Kellyn March (NDSU) F
Jaylen Carson, 1:46
141 - #29 Dylan Droegemueller (NDSU) DEC
Conner Ward, 4-1
149 -
Joseph Bianchi DEC Gaven Sax (NDSU), 4-3
Extra Matches
157 - Michael Weber (NDSU) DEC
Chase Tebbets, 9-4
184 – DJ Parker (NDSU) TF
Brayden Dillow, 18-3 (7:00)
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