2008 Woodie Awards
Mavericks get set for home duals vs. Mary, Augustana
by Tyler Buckentine
Issue date: 1/17/08
Section: Mens Sports
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Escaped is a suitable word, since MSU needed six points in the final match from Brady Wilson just to knot the score at 19.
"The whole team didn't quite have its spark," said Travis Elg, who was pinned in the 141-pound match. "We were being defensive and thinking too much."
Since there are no tie-breaking procedures for regular season duals in college wrestling, the dual ended in a draw as the Mavericks dodged their first home loss since 2005 when MSU fell to Nebraska-Omaha 22-12.
The Mavericks (10-0-1) hope to earn more than ties this weekend when MSU takes on nonconference opponent Mary on Friday. The Mavericks open their North Central Conference schedule against Augustana. Both duals are slated for 7p.m. starts at the Taylor Center.
MSU is 2-0 all-time versus Mary. The last meeting ended in a 42-0 with the Mavericks on the right end of the blowout.
Last season, all MSU wrestlers that returned to this season's team, won their matches as the Mavericks routed Augustana Feb. 7 in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The Vikings (1-1) are led by Ty Copsey, who is ranked fifth at 197 pounds. Augustana is currently unranked but is receiving votes.
The Mavericks are fresh off two of their biggest wins so far this season. No. 4 MSU knocked off top-ranked Nebraska-Kearney 25-15 and No. 2 UNO 19-17 Sunday to win the program's first ever NWCA National Duals.
"We just focused and every guy did what they had to do and didn't think about anything else," Elg said.
MSU coach Jim Makovsky warns that his team can't get too comfortable after such a feat.
"Although there was a lot of excitement, we knew we could've wrestled better," Makovsky said. "You won't see guys resting on their laurels. Everybody is focused on the next thing."
Tyler Buckentine is the Reporter sports editor
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