Bison Close Out Home Dual Meet Schedule Against Air Force, Portland State
February 13, 2008
THIS WEEK: North Dakota State
closes out the home dual meet portion of its schedule with a pair of
meets at the Bison Sports Arena, beginning with Western Wrestling
Conference opponent Air Force on Friday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m. The
Bison then take on Portland State Saturday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m.
ON THE WEB: Internet coverage of both dual meets will be available on GoBison.com. Live and on-demand video is available by subscription to All Access premium service starting at $7.95.
ABOUT AIR FORCE: The Falcons are 7-8 overall on the season and
1-1 in WWC action after falling to rival Northern Colorado 25-14 on
Sunday, Feb. 10. Air Force is led by senior Jake Kriegbaum, a two-time
NCAA Qualifier at 141, as well as junior Stephen Crozier (174), who has
captured a pair of WWC Wrestler of the Week honors this season. Head
coach Joel Sharratt is in his second year at the Academy with a 13-18
overall mark. This will mark the seventh meeting between NDSU and the
Air Force Academy with the Bison having won five of the previous six
meetings, including a 24-15 victory in Colorado Springs last year.
North Dakota State is 1-0 all-time against the Falcons at the Bison
Sports Arena.
ABOUT PORTLAND STATE: The Vikings are 1-10 on the season and are
0-7 in the Pac-10 Conference. Portland State wrestles at conference
opponent Oregon on Wednesday, Feb. 13, before making the trip to face
South Dakota State on Friday, Feb. 15, and will visit the Dragons of
MSU Moorhead on Saturday, Feb. 16, before the meet with NDSU at the
Bison Sports Arena. The Vikings are led by a pair of seniors in Dale
Seley (174) and Jake Schneider (197) and are under the direction of
second-year head coach Mike Haluska, who is 2-26 overall at Portland
State. The Bison are 3-0 all-time against the Vikings including last
season’s 33-9 victory in Oregon.
MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT WITH THE BISON: North Dakota State will
be holding a special Military Appreciation Night on Friday, Feb. 15,
when the Bison wrestle the Air Force Academy at 7:30 p.m. at the Bison
Sports Arena. All active and retired military personnel will be
admitted to the meet for just $4 by presenting their military I.D. at
the Bison Sports Arena ticket office. A color guard comprised of the
NDSU Army and Air Force ROTC will present our nation’s colors before
the meet. For more information, contact the Bison Sports Arena ticket
office at (701) 231-6378.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE HANDLES WYOMING TO CLAIM THIRD IN WWC: Led by a
fall by senior Eric Hoffman and a technical fall by junior Gabriel
Mooney, North Dakota State jumped out to a quick 17-3 lead then cruised
in the upper weights to defeat WWC opponent Wyoming 29-10 on Friday,
Feb. 1, at the Bison Sports Arena. Four other NDSU wrestlers recorded
decisions, including freshman Shannon Fettig picking up the first dual
meet victory of his career with a 4-2 win over Kyle Morrow. Junior Adam
Aho earned a 4-2 decision at 157 for his 10th straight victory and
improved to a team-best 22-4, while senior Eric Sanders won his eighth
straight dual with a 1-0 decision at 131, improving to 19-10 overall.
The victory evens the overall series between the two schools at four
wins a piece, while the Bison have now won four of the last five
meetings against the Cowboys. The victory improved North Dakota State
to 9-8 overall and 3-1 in WWC action, moving the Bison into sole
posession of third place in the conference standings.
AHO, MOONEY SEEING 20/20: Juniors Adam Aho and Gabriel Mooney
have been two of the most consistent wrestlers for NDSU this season, as
both have cracked the 20 win club this season. Aho leads the team with
22 victories, while Mooney is right behind at 21, which is a new
season-high for both wrestlers. Senior Eric Sanders is also knocking on
the door, needing just one more victory to join the 20-win club for the
first time in his career. His 19 wins is tied for his season-high that
he set in both 2003-04 and 2006-07. Freshman Tyler Hemmesch is also
flirting with 20 victories as well, as he sits at 17-13 on the season
entering the weekend.
SENIORS TAKE FINAL BOW: The two home meets this weekend mark the
final duals for five NDSU wrestlers at the Bison Sports Arena. Seniors
Eric Hoffman, Eric Sanders, Ryan Klinger and Matt Wetterling, as well
as junior Justin LaGosh will be honored before the dual meet against
Portland State on Saturday, Feb. 16.