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SMSU Wrestling Set to Host Captain Dan Open

October 29, 2008

MARSHALL, MINN - The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team kicks of it 2008-09 season this weekend when it hosts the Captain Dan Open on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Marshall High School at 9 a.m.. Seven teams are expected to participate in the open tournament.

SMSU, Sioux Falls, Minnesota State, MSU Moorhead, Ridgewater College, Rochester Community College and Minnesota West will all be in Marshall on Saturday for the tournament.

With one of the largest recruiting classes in recent years, the Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team is poised to improve upon last season¹s 0-11 (0-4, NSIC) record in the newly expanded NSIC. Jesse Nelson, entering his second year as the head coach of the Mustangs, has brought in 16 freshman and five transfers to compliment 12 returners.

The Mustangs return one national qualifier in senior 184-pounder Tyler Johnson, but SMSU had another wrestler who was just one win away from qualifying for the NCAA tournament in 157-pounder Luke Giese.