FARGO, N.D. -- North Dakota State won its sixth straight dual with a 31-6 victory over Air Force in a Big 12 Conference dual on Sunday, Feb. 16, on Senior Day before 447 spectators in SCHEELS Center. All four seniors in the NDSU lineup posted wins and combined to score 17 points.
 
NDSU (9-3, 5-1 #Big12WR) wrestles at South Dakota State (11-5, 6-2 #Big12WR) on Friday, Feb. 21, in Frost Arena.
 
Half of North Dakota State's wins included four bonus points, but the Bison also earned a pair of one-pointers during the first three bouts. At 125 pounds, McGwire Midkiff (10-5, 4-3) rallied with a reversal and kept his riding time over a minute in the third period to defeat No. 14-ranked Sidney Flores 8-7. McGwire
 
The first senior to take the floor was No. 17-ranked 133 pounder Cam Sykora, who flirted with his first tech fall since Jan. 2, but was all business in a 14-2 major decision over Jared Van Fleet. Sykora improved to 12-4 overall and 8-3 in duals.
 
Dylan Droegemueller (12-7, 4-3) faced his second straight ranked opponent at 141 pounds, but this outcome had a better result. Droegemueller built his riding time with a reversal and takedown in the third period good for five points and another 8-7 finish over No. 33 Lenny Petersen.
 
Jaden Van Maanen (11-12, 5-7) broke a 3-3 deadlock after two periods and made it a double-win weekend with his 8-4 decision at 149 pounds. No nonsense NDSU No. 16-ranked 157-pounder Jared Franek (22-6, 10-2) recorded his second tech fall of the season by the score of 16-0 at 3:58. That was followed by the sound of the team-leading eighth pin of the winter by No. 10-ranked 165 Andrew Fogarty (17-3, 10-1) to get back on track. The Bison won the first six to lead 24-0.
 
Air Force (4-7, 1-6 #Big12) then picked up a pair of wins, Cody Surratt downed Luke Weber 10-4 at 174 pounds, while Jake Thompson outlasted Noah Cressell 3-2.
 
North Dakota State closed strong with a pair of seniors. Four-year starter Cordell Eaton grinded out a 6-1 decision at 197 pounds, while Dan Stibral was solid in the 11-1 major decision.
 
North Dakota State 31, Air Force 6
SCHEELS CENTER, FARGO, N.D.
Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020
125— McGwire Midkiff (NDSU) dec #14 Sidney Flores (AFA), 8-7
133— #17 Cam Sykora (NDSU) major dec Jared Van Fleet (AFA), MD 14-2
141— Dylan Droegemueller (NDSU) dec #33 Lenny Petersen (AFA), 8-7
149— Jaden Van Maanen (NDSU) dec Dylan Martinez (AFA), 8-4
157— #16 Jared Franek (NDSU) tech fall Trey Brisker (AFA), TF 16-0 3:58
165— #10 Andrew Fogarty (NDSU) fall Vincent Dolce (AFA), 3:58
174— Cody Surratt (AFA) dec Luke Weber (NDSU), 10-4
184— Jake Thompson (AFA) dec Noah Cressell (NDSU), 3-2
197— Cordell Eaton (NDSU) dec Casey Jumps (AFA), 6-1
285— Dan Stibral (NDSU) major dec Kayne Hutchison (AFA), MD 11-1
Dual started at pounds
Attendance— 447
Referee—Derek Lark
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