Contact | Subscribe | Advertise | Links | Youth | H.S. | College | Club | News/General
Mon, 15 Jan 2001
Petsinger reaches 100 victory plateau as Mavericks Open Bresnan Arena
Mankato, Minn. -- The Minnesota State University, Mankato Maverick wrestling team had their debut in Bresnan Arena in Taylor Center last weekend, splitting dual meets with 15th ranked Northern Colorado and top-ranked Nebraska-Omaha.
In their debut in Bresnan Arena on Friday, MSU earned a 24-10 victory over Northern Colorado. Senior heavyweight Travis Wiuff (Owatonna, Minn.) racked up his fourth pin of the season in just 53 seconds. Senior Matt Petsinger (Ellendale, Minn.) grinded out a 2-0 decision at 157 pounds for his 99th career victory.
The next night against Nebraska-Omaha, Petsinger opened up the dual with a 11-3 major decision to become the fourth wrestler in Minnesota State history to reach the 100-victory plateau, joining Jack Eustice, Jim Gale and Justin Smith. Junior Matt Gadient (Goodhue, Minn.) earned a 4-1 decision at 165 pounds to extend MSU's lead to 7-0 in the dual. However, UNO would win the next seven matches en route to the 27-10 victory.
What's Next: On Saturday, Jan,. 20, Minnesota State will head to Kirksville, Mo. to partake in the Truman State Duals. The Mavericks will face Wisconsin-Parkside, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and the host Bulldogs.
Coach Makovsky: Jim Makovsky is in his eighth season as head coach of the Minnesota State wrestling team. The Mavericks are 90-39 (.698) in dual meets under Makovsky, and he has a career record of 114-59 (.659). Makovsky is a 1989 graduate of Valley City State University where he served as head wrestling coach for four years prior to his arrival at Minnesota State. Makovsky led his alma mater to a 25-19-2 dual meet record during his tenure at VCSU. Makovsky has coached a total of 26 All-Americans, including three last season, and has served as a mentor to six national champions in his career.
Mavericks In National Rankings: In the Division II national preseason rankings, two Maverick wrestlers are ranked nationally in their respective weight classes. Senior Matt Petsinger (Ellendale, Minn.) is ranked first at 157 pounds while junior Matt Gadient (Goodhue, Minn.) is second at 165 pounds. As a team, MSU was ranked eighth.
The Wedding Singer: One of the most impressive wrestlers in MSU history is senior Matt Petsinger (Ellendale, Minn.), who is serving as a team captain for the Mavericks for the second consecutive season. A three-time All-American, Petsinger is one of only 14 Maverick wrestlers to achieve the feat, and is looking to become just the fifth MSU grappler to achieve All-American status four times this season. Twice last season, Petsinger was named NCC Wrestler of the Week.
Petsinger, who competes at the 157 pound weight class, owns a 23-3 mark this season with 14 victories coming by fall. He became the fourth wrestler in school history to reach the 100-victory plateau on Jan. 13 against Nebraska-Omaha, and now owns a career mark of 100-26.
At the Upper Iowa Open, he claimed first place in his weight class for the second consecutive open meet. He has finished in the top three spots in all four open meets he has participated in this season.
Besides his accolades on the wrestling mat, Petsinger is a stellar performer in the classroom as well. Last year, he was a member of the NCAA all-academic first team for the second consecutive season.
Wrestling Matt: Junior Matt Gadient (Goodhue, Minn.) is one of two All-Americans returning to the Maverick squad in 2000-01. Last year, Gadient finished fifth at the NCAA Division II Championships.
This season, Gadient has amassed a 18-5 record at the 165 pound weight class.His 18 victories are the second most for any Maverick grappler this season. At the Marquette Open, Gadient claimed first place for the first time this season, and followed that up with a first place finish at the Upper Iowa Open.
Earlier this season, Gadient surpassed the half-century mark during his career at MSU. He currently owns a 57-15 record during his three years with the Mavericks.
Cosmo Kramer: Sophomore Adam Kramer (New Hampton, Iowa) has racked up a 10-5 record at the 133 pound weight class for the Mavericks this season. At the opening meet of the season, Kramer took first place at the Golden Eagle Open in Eau Claire, Wis., and claimed his second top finish at the Marquette Open.
In 1999-2000, Kramer qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships at 125 pounds. He posted a 23-12 record in his inaugural campaign at MSU.
Blue Berri: One of the most impressive newcomers to the MSU wrestling program in 2000-01 has been junior Lester Berrios (Leisure City, Fla.). So far, he has a 8-5 record at the 125 pound weight class.
Berrios came to MSU after attending Upper Iowa University for two season. During his time with the Peacocks, he compiled a 56-20 record.
Han Solo: Junior Hannon Hisek (Tyndall, S.D.) is just one of seven MSU wrestlers to reach double-digits in victories this season while competing at both the 141 and 149 pound weight classes. He has compiled a 15-8 record with three victories coming by fall and four coming by major decision. His three pins are tied for third on the team.
As American As Apple Pye: Freshman Aaron Pyfferoen (Rochester, Minn.) has a 13-6 record this season to become a fixture at the 184 pound weight class for the Mavericks. Pyfferoen claimed first place at an open meet for the first time of his collegiate career by going 3-0 with a pin in the Marquette Open.
Pyfferoen came to MSU after a stellar career at Byron High School where he compiled a 85-20 record in three seasons, including a third place finish at the state championships in 1997.
Minnesota State To Host North Central Conference Championships: On Sunday, Feb. 25, Minnesota State University, Mankato will host the North Central Conference Wrestling Championships. The meet will be held at Bresnan Arena in Taylor Center on the campus of Minnesota State. This will be the first time MSU has hosted the NCC Championships since 1994. For ticket information, call the MSU Athletics Ticket Office at (507) 389-6111.
2001 NCAA Division II National Championships Information: On Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10, the 2001 NCAA Division II National Championships will be held in Butler-Hancock Hall on the campus of the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo. For ticket information, contact the UNC Athletic Department at (970) 351-2534.