MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead wrestling team finished the 2017-18 season by sending an athlete to the national tournament for the eighth straight season. Junior Zach Scott finished fourth at the Super Region 3 tournament, which secured his spot at the national tournament.
Head coach Kris Nelson has sent a wrestler to the national tournament every season that he has been at MSUM.
The season started with a 52-0 win over Northland Community and Technical College. After competing at the Bison Open, the Dragons lost a close dual to crosstown rival Concordia 22-18. After competing at the UNK Open and hosting the Dragon Open, the Dragons lost to the No. 2 team in Division 3 Augsburg 35-9.
They competed at the Midwest Classic, where Tommy Walton was the lone Dragon to advance to the second day. He suffered an injury on the second day that would eventually end his season.
The Dragons started the NSIC portion of their schedule with a rough patch, where they lost five duals in a row before ending the season with a three-match win streak. Their first conference win came over Northern State, which they followed up with wins over Southwest Minnesota State and Minot State.
At the Super Regional tournament, the Dragons only had one wrestler advance to the national tournament, but Joe Schumacher barely missed out on going, finishing fifth in the 149-pound weight class. Freshman Cole Jones also finished fifth, missing out on being a true freshman to make it to nationals by just one match.
Scott went 0-2 at the national tournament, losing his first match to Drew Walker of Notre Dame. In the wrestle back round he lost to Brock Thumm of Chadron State to end his season.
Jones was one of the top wrestlers for MSUM, finishing the season with a 20-13 record. Scott wrapped up the season with a 17-17 record while junior Adam Blees finished with a 17-10 record. Redshirt freshman Jordan Magnuson ended the season with a 14-12 record.
The Dragons are slated to return all 10 starters for next season.
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