The South Dakota State wrestling team opened the Huskie Duals by shocking Big Ten foe Indiana 19-18.
The Hoosiers entered the dual with two ranked wrestlers (InterMat) and a 2-0 record versus the Jacks.
But Indiana is no longer undefeated versus SDSU.
The Jacks entered the dual as underdogs in every match, but once the teams were on the mat, rankings did not matter. In this dual, every match and every point counted.
The dual started at 125 pounds with Aaron Pickrel versus Joseph Duca. Duca led 5-4 after the first period, but Pickrel shutout Duca in the second and posted a riding time advantage of 1:21 for a 7-5 lead. Pickrel limited the scoring in the third for an 8-5 decision.
Next, Brance Simms faced Quinton Murphy at 133 pounds. Simms pinned Murphy in less than one minute to extend the SDSU lead to 9-0. It was the second and fastest pin of the season for Simms, who improved to 6-2 overall with the win.
At 141 pounds, Ben Gillette faced Eric Roach and was down 2-1 entering the third period. He was unable to close the gap in the third and lost by 8-3 decision.
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Dustin Walraven battled Geno Capezio at 149. Walraven took an early lead in the first period and held a significant advantage in riding time. He rode out the lead to a 6-1 decision and a 12-3 team lead.
At 157, Cody Pack dropped a tight decision to nationally-ranked Taylor Walsh. Pack wrestled tough in the first period, but fell behind 2-0. The second period was more of the same and Pack was down 5-0 going into the third period. He got on the board, but dropped the decision 6-2.
Joe Brewster lined up at 165 versus Ryan LeBlanc, ranked No. 19 (InterMat). The two were tied after one period, but fell behind 3-0 after two. Brewster was unable to recover, as LeBlanc pulled out a close match by 5-2 decision and narrowed the SDSU lead to 12-9.
Troy Morisette faced Cheney Dale at 174 pounds with the Jacks leading by three points. Morisette led 3-2 after the first period. The second period was rather quiet, but Morisette extended his lead to 4-2. Morisette held on to win by 5-2 decision and put the Jacks in front 15-9.
At 184, Hunter Weddington squared off with Lucas Sheridan. The two were tied after the first period, but Weddington trailed 2-1 after the second period. He was unable to keep pace in the third and dropped a 9-3 decision.
Brandon Ballard faced Tarek Alaruri in the second-to-last match of the dual. Ballard put together a strong effort in the first period and led 6-2 after one. He added to his lead at 10-3, 1:18 riding time advantage entering the third period. Ballard kept pushing and won by 15-4 major decision to put the Jacks up for good.
The Hoosiers scored a pin late in the 285-pound match with nationally-ranked Adam Chalfant versus J.J. Everard, but it was not enough, as SDSU shocked Indiana 19-18.
Next the Jacks face Huskie Duals host Northern Illinois. Dual time is set for 12 p.m. in DeKalb, Ill.
South Dakota State 19, Indiana 18
125 – Aaron Pickrel (SDSU) decision Joseph Duca, 8-5 (Team score: SDSU 3-0)
133 – Brance Simms (SDSU) pin Quinton Murphy, 0:56 (SDSU 9-0)
141 – Eric Roach (IND) decision Ben Gillette, 8-3 (SDSU 9-3)
149 – Dustin Walraven (SDSU) decision Geno Capezio, 6-1 (SDSU 12-3)
157 – Taylor Walsh (IND) decision Cody Pack, 6-2 (SDSU 12-6)
165 – Ryan LeBlanc (IND) decision Joe Brewster, 5-2 (SDSU 12-9)
174 – Troy Morisette (SDSU) decision Cheney Dale, 5-2 (SDSU 15-9)
184 – Lucas Sheridan (IND) decision Hunter Weddington, 9-3 (SDSU 15-12)
197 – Brandon Ballard (SDSU) major decision Tarek Alaruri, 15-4 (SDSU 19-12)
285 – Adam Chalfant (IND) pin J.J. Everard, 6:27 (SDSU wins 19-18)