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Mavericks to Open 2008-09 Campaign November 15

September 18, 2008

Mankato, Minn. -- The Minnesota State wrestling team begins its quest for a 2008-09 national title on Nov. 15 when it opens the season at the Harold Nichols open in Ames, Iowa.

The Mavericks, who finished second at last year's national tournament, return four All-Americans from 2007-08. MSU went 20-1-1 a year ago and in addition to capturing the NWCA National Duals title, also claimed a regional crown. Junior heavyweight Brady Wilson went 36-6 en route to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA meet. Sophomore Tommy Abbott was 25-5 and turned in a fifth-place finish at 149 in his debut with the Mavericks. Junior Travis Elg (23-7) was sixth at 141, senior John Putman (21-13) was sixth at 133 and senior Tim Matheson (21-10) is a two-time NCAA qualifier.

Head coach Jim Makovsky, who enters 2008-09 with a career record of 215-84-5 and is in his 15th year of guiding the Mavericks, was last year's North Central Conference Coach of the Year.

2008-09 Minnesota State Wrestling Schedule
November 15, Harold Nichols Open. All Day, Ames, Iowa
November 21, Hawkeye Duals (Coe, Bucknell, Iowa). All Day, Iowa City, Iowa
December 7, UNI OPEN, All Day, Cedar Falls, Iowa
December 13, Husky Open, All Day, St. Cloud, Minn.
December 18, Reno Tournament of Champions, All Day, Reno, Nev,
January 10-11, NWCA National Duals, All Day, Cedar Falls, Iowa
January 16, Minnesota State-Moorhead, 7:00 pm, Moorhead, Minn.
January 17, University of Mary, 2:00 pm, Bismarck, N.D.
January 23, Augustana, 7:00 pm, Sioux Falls, S.D.
February 6, Nebraska-Omaha, 7:00 pm, Mankato, Minn.
February 7, Northern State, 4:00 pm, Mankato, Minn.
February 19, St. Cloud State University 7:00 pm St. Cloud, MN
February 21 Truman State, 3:00 pm, Kirksville, Mo.
March 1, NCAA Northern Regional Championships, All Day, Marshall, Minn.
March 13-14, NCAA Division II Championships, All Day, Houston, Tex.