Move to 5-3 in Big 12 wrestling conference

After opening with losses in three of the first four matches, the North Dakota State University wrestling team needed a shot in the arm. The No. 6 ranked wrestler in the country at the 157-pound weight class provided that shot. Junior Jared Franek, from West Fargo, ND, defeated Northern Colorado’s Nathan Moore 11-2 in a major decision to spark the Bison to five straight victories. Those five wins would seal the win for the Bison (10-3, 5-3 Big 12) by defeating the Bears 22-13 to finish the home portion of their conference schedule.

After Franek’s win, NDSU’s Luke Weber, the No. 13 wrestler at 165, beat the Bears’ Nick Knutson by technical fall 17-2 at the 6:29 point of the match to give the Bison the lead at 12-10. Three more wins by Austin Brenner (174), D.J. Parker (184) and Owen Pentz (197) would ice the match for the Bison. At 133, Kellyn March ranked No. 22, earned the other Bison victory defeating UNC’s Dyson Kunz, 10-4. The Bison finish their Big 12 conference schedule next Sunday, Feb. 12 against the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State University in Brookings.