Final Bout Lifts Bears Past Bison

FARGO, N.D. - An overtime bout in the tenth and final weight class of the day lifted the University of Northern Colorado (3-9-1) wrestling squad past North Dakota State (2-7-1) on Saturday evening. The two teams tied earlier this season, 19-19 at the Northern Duals, but the Bears held on to win an 18-16 match in Western Wrestling Conference action.

"We didn't wrestle very well, but it's always good to win," said Head Coach Jack Maughan. "We lost some close matches early. We feel we could have wrestled better, but we'll take the win.

The last match of the day at 184 pounds saw senior Ryan Johnson facing Kenny Moenkedick. After the first period, Moenkedick held the slight 2-1 advantage, but Johnson tied it in the second period with an escape and it was knotted at 4-4 at the end of three periods. Johnson got just his second fall of the season at 7:40 for both the individual and team victory.

 "He's (Johnson) a hero. He hasn't had many pins in his whole career, so this is huge. He did a good job, he asked me before if he should go for the major decision for the team win and I told him to just go win. Because of his hard work every day, he's in great shape and at the end, Ryan was able put him away."

The contest started at 197 pounds, where Drew Ross of NDSU posted a major decision over sophomore Patrick Carey for the 4-0 team advantage.

The Bears won the next three bouts as junior Justin Tuell won a 5-2 decision over Tyler Hemmesch at heavyweight, junior Tony Mustari won a 7-0 decision against Trent Sprenkle and Brett Bahe, wrestling for the first time since the opening match against Boise State, won an 8-2 decision over Tyler Steinward at 133 pounds giving the Bears the 9-4 edge.

North Dakota State won the next two weights, as Gabriel Mooney defeated Kenny Hashimoto 8-6 at 141 pounds and freshman Mitchell Polkowske lost a close 9-8 decision to NDSU's Ryan Adams, giving the Bison the 10-9 team lead.

At 157 pounds, sophomore Justin Gaethje pulled out the close 9-8 victory for the 12-10 Bears lead, but the Bison gained it right back as Tyler Johnson defeated NC freshman Tanner Weiks 12-7 at 165 pounds. Adam Aho won a 3-1 decision over NC freshman Brandon Kammerzell at 174 pounds, setting up the exciting final at 184 pounds.

The match also marked the 25^th meeting between Northern Colorado head coach Jack Maughan and North Dakota State head coach and Jack's father, Bucky Maughan. Jack is now 3-20-2 against his father in head-to-head competition.

The Bears now travel to Brookings to take on South Dakota State on Sunday afternoon in a match scheduled for 2:30 p.m.