FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State wrestling team battled to a Big 12 victory over Air Force Sunday afternoon at the Scheels Center, as the Bison (8-3, 3-3 Big 12) defeated the Falcons (3-4, 0-4 Big 12) 21-16 to complete a weekend sweep.
 
With the Bison leading 12-10 and three matches to go, DJ Parker gave the Bison the momentum to see out a victory. Trailing 1-0 heading into the final period of the 184-pound match, Parker executed a reversal and later recorded a 4-pint nearfall to pick up a 7-1 win over Jacob Thompson in a pivotal swing match.
 
Parker improved to 17-1 on the season against unranked opposition.
 
With the Bison having the momentum and a 15-10 lead, No. 23 Owen Pentz secured the victory for the Bison as he picked up his 15^th career fall by pinning Kayne Hutchison at 1:32.
 
With Pentz's victory, the sophomore takes over the active lead in career pins for NDSU with 15.
 
Air Force started off the match with a 7-0 lead after a win by decision and major decision at 125 and 133. No. 28 Dylan Drogemueller gave the Bison their first points by picking up a 4-3 decision in the 141-pound match with a riding time point at the end to win over Cody Phippen.
 
Gaven Sax then cut the deficit for NDSU to one with a 7-0 decision at 149 pounds over Dylan Martinez to make it 7-6. For Sax, it was the redshirt freshman's 15^th victory of the season and his second-straight Big 12 dual victory.
 
No. 7 Jared Franek followed Sax and closed out the first half with a win over Giano Petrucelli at 157 pounds, securing his 30^th career dual victory. Franek recorded multiple takedowns to win 12-6. The Bison led 9-7 after five matches.
 
Coming out of halftime in the 165-pound match, No. 20 Luke Weber secured another close battle, defeating Trey Brisker with a late takedown and riding time to win 4-1 and give the Bison a 12-7 advantage.
 
The Falcons would then pick up a win at 174 to cut the Falcon deficit to just two points at 12-10 heading into the 184-pound match.
 
Air Force would also pick up six points with a forfeit at the heavyweight division.
 
North Dakota State 21, Air Force 16
Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022
Scheels Center | Fargo, N.D. | Att: 419
125 - Jared Van Vleet (AF) over Lucas Rodriguez (NDSU) (Dec 5-4); AF 3-0
133 - Sidney Flores (AF) over Ryan Henningson (NDSU) (MD 8-0); AF 7-0
141 - #28 Dylan Droegemueller (NDSU) over Cody Phippen (AF) (Dec 4-3); AF 7-3
149 - Gaven Sax (NDSU) over Dylan Martinez (AF) (Dec 7-0); AF 7-6
157 - #7 Jared Franek (NDSU) over Giano Petrucelli (AF) (Dec 12-6); NDSU 9-7
165 - #20 Luke Weber (NDSU) over Trey Brisker (AF) (Dec 4-1); NDSU 12-7
174 - #33 Sam Wolf (AF) over Riley Habisch (NDSU) (Dec 6-1); NDSU 12-10
184 - DJ Parker (NDSU) over Jacob Thompson (AF) (Dec 7-1); NDSU 15-10
197 - #23 Owen Pentz (NDSU) over Kayne Hutchison (AF) (Fall 1:32); NDSU 21-10
285 - #6 Wyatt Hendrickson (AF) over Unknown (For.); NDSU 21-16
Dual started at 125 pounds
# InterMat Rankings