Herd completes weekend sweep; improve to 3-3 in Big 12
The North Dakota State wrestling team battled to a Big 12 victory over Air Force Sunday afternoon at the Scheels Center, as the Bison (8-3, 3-3 Big 12) defeated the Falcons (3-4, 0-4 Big 12) 21-16 to complete a weekend sweep.
With the Bison leading 12-10 and three matches to go, DJ Parker gave the Bison the momentum to see out a victory. Trailing 1-0 heading into the final period of the 184-pound match, Parker executed a reversal and later recorded a 4-pint near fall to pick up a 7-1 win over Jacob Thompson in a pivotal swing match. Parker improved to 17-1 on the season against unranked opposition.
With the Bison having the momentum and a 15-10 lead, No. 23 Owen Pentz secured the victory for the Bison as he picked up his 15th career fall by pinning Kayne Hutchison at 1:32. With Pentz’s victory, the sophomore takes over the active lead in career pins for NDSU with 15.
Air Force started off the match with a 7-0 lead after a win by decision and major decision at 125 and 133. No. 28 Dylan Droegemueller gave the Bison their first points by picking up a 4-3 decision in the 141-pound match with a riding time point at the end to win over Cody Phippen. Gaven Sax then cut the deficit for NDSU to one with a 7-0 decision at 149 pounds over Dylan Martinez to make it 7-6. For Sax, it was the redshirt freshman’s 15th victory of the season and his second-straight Big 12 dual victory.
No. 7 Jared Franek followed Sax and closed out the first half with a win over Giano Petrucelli at 157 pounds, securing his 30th career dual victory. Franek recorded multiple takedowns to win 12-6. The Bison led 9-7 heading into the intermission.
Coming out of halftime in the 165-pound match, No. 22 Luke Weber secured another close battle, defeating Trey Brisker with a late takedown and riding time to win 4-1 and give the Bison a 12-7 advantage. The Falcons would then pick up a win at 174 to cut the Falcon deficit to just two points at 12-10 heading into the 184-pound match.
Air Force would also pick up six points with a forfeit at the heavyweight division.