SDSU wins fifth-straight dual after topping Wyoming

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BROOKINGS – The South Dakota State wrestling team won its fifth-straight dual Sunday when they topped Wyoming 17-16.

The Jackrabbits had a successful weekend as they beat No. 16 Northern Iowa 25-13 Friday and beating the Cowboys Sunday. Both were Big 12 matchups.

“Sometimes winning is not pretty, but we got the job done. I don’t think we looked all that sharp tonight coming off of that big win on Friday night. We traveled a little bit and I think coming back and just trying to get them back to that level of excitement was difficult today, but it’s nice to get the win,” SDSU head coach Damion Hahn said. 

The most crucial match of the day was the very first one. SDSU’s Danny Vega got a technical fall (18-3) against Jacob Svihal in the 125-pound class to get the Jacks eight points. Vega got the technical fall midway through the second period.

“Vega coming out right away and picking up the tech fall won us the dual,” Hahn said. “It’s really awesome to have a 125 pounder that can really get the ball rolling for you. We’ve had with Vega and Kahlen Morris coming out this year as well. It’s huge to have a good 125 pounder.”

The Jacks had five victories in total on the afternoon. At 141, Clay Carlson defeated Trevor Jeffries on a 12-6 decision. #17 Henry Pohlmeyer topped Jaron Jensen on a 6-2 decision at 149. At 184, #16 Zach Carlson beat Tate Samuelson on a 3-2 decision and #20 Tanner Sloan topped Stephen Buchannan on a 6-3 decision.

“Clay has been wrestling solid all year long. … The recent non-competing for Henry the last two events, has helped him a little bit. Keeping him fresh and going out there and really dominating the last two matches he’s competed in. … You got our horses at the end. Zach Carlson, talk about someone you can count on right there. Boom. You can count on that guy. Tanner Sloan only being a freshman and him going out there and counting on him and he gets another decision,” Hahn said.

The Jacks are now 6-3 overall and 3-0 in the Big 12. Hahn said he thought his team wasn’t very sharp against the Cowboys, but the two wins this weekend helped in building confidence for his team.

“Winning builds confidence,” Hahn said. “It’s reassurance that what were doing in the program and for our training. Even on a tough win, like today, I don’t think anyone can sit there and say ‘wow you guys looked great’ because I don’t think we did. But even on a day where we weren’t our best we can still win. That is all preparation for the Big 12 Tournament and the national tournament because the national tournament is not going to wait. It’s going to happen regardless if you’re ready or if you’re not ready and you’re going to have to be ready to perform.”

Hahn said the team really hit their stride when they went down to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. for the South Beach Duals and won three out of four duals. The Jacks beat Duke 41-3, Michigan State 19-17 and Old Dominion 29-8. Hahn said to get to where he wants the team to be, they need to remember how they felt during those duals.

“When we went down Florida, the atmosphere was awesome. It was perfect and it fit our guys and kept our guys calm and relaxed and mentally focused. Friday night, we went down to UNI, in a hostile environment, and all I told them was ‘remember Florida, remember that mindset you guys had there.’ … We have some guys that their motors are running at a high pace and it’s like woah, slow it down. Just relax a little bit. Focus on the small things and they will take care of the big,” Hahn said.

The Jackrabbits next dual will be another Big 12 battle. They will host #11 Iowa State on Friday night at 7 p.m.

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 17, WYOMING 16

125 – Danny Vega, SDSU, tech. fall Jacob Svihal [8-0]

133 – #7 Monorie Bridges, WYO, dec. Zach Price [8-3]

141 – Clay Carlson, SDSU, dec. Trevor Jeffries [11-3]

149 – #17 Henry Pohlmeyer, SDSU, dec. Jaron Jensen [11-3]

157 – Dewey Krueger, WYO, dec. Colten Carlson [11-6]

165 – Cole Moody, WYO, major dec. Tanner Cook [11-10]

174 – #12 Hayden Hastings, WYO, dec. Cade King [11-13]

184 – #16 Zach Carlson, SDSU, dec. Tate Samuelson [14-13]

197 – #20 Tanner Sloan, SDSU, dec. Stephen Buchanan [17-13]

285 – #20 Brian Andrews, WYO, dec. Blake Wolters [17-16]