Upper Iowa trailed Southwest Minnesota State by nine points with two matches remaining in tonight’s NSIC dual in Marshall, Minn.  The Peacocks scored nine points in the final two matches to tie the score at 18-18 and then earned the dual win, 19-18, on criteria.  The criteria that finally broke the tie was the total match points earned as UIU edged their hosts 35-31.  The win improves Upper Iowa’s record to 8-3 overall and 4-1 in the NSIC.
 
Trailing by nine with two matches remaining, the Peacocks turned to Carl Broghammer (#1 NWCA), one of the most impressive wrestlers in the nation.   The Manchester, Iowa native toed the line in the 197-pound match knowing that his team needed his best and a win by fall to keep hope alive for an NSIC victory.  Broghammer earned the pin in the middle of the second period to pull UIU within three, 18-15.  The win by fall marked his 5th straight pinfall victory and his 18th pin of the season.  He also pushed his win streak to 18 matches and improved to 33-2 on the season.
 
In the final match of the night, freshman Jeremy Brazil earned Upper Iowa’s fifth victory with a 3-2 decision over Jon Gorter.  After the win, the score was tied 18-18, but after several criteria did not break the tie, total match points were counted and UIU bested the SMSU by four, 35-31, to get the win.
 
Upper Iowa got wins by decision from Chris Paulus at 125 pounds, Jordan Rinken at 149 pounds and Blake Sorensen at 174 pounds to account for their other 9 points.
 
Upper Iowa will return to the mat Saturday as they compete at MSU Moorhead.  The Dragons and Peacocks will begin their dual at 3 p.m.
 
Upper Iowa 19 – Southwest Minnesota State 18
125 | Chris Paulus (UIU) dec. Travis Borchert (SMSU), 6-3 | UIU leads 3-0
133 | Justin Reinsma (SMSU) dec. Trevor Franklin (UIU), 3-2 | Tied 3-3
141 | Ethan Hildebrand (SMSU) fall Matt Paulus (UIU), 3:57 | SMSU leads 9-3
149 | Jordan Rinken (UIU) dec. Beau Buysse (SMSU), 4-1 | SMSU leads 9-6
157 | Codie Lane (SMSU) dec. Bryce Lumzy (UIU), 6-4 | SMSU leads 12-6
165 | Jacob Begin (SMSU) dec. No. 4 Wade Gobin, 8-7 (riding time) | SMSU leads 15-6
174 | Blake Sorensen (UIU) dec. Kyle Begin (SMSU), 9-4 | SMSU leads 15-9
184 | Travis Peralta (SMSU) dec. Brock Gobin (UIU), 4-0 | SMSU leads 18-9
197 | Carl Broghammer (UIU) fall Micah Larson (SMSU), 3:42 | SMSU leads 18-15
285 | Jeremy Brazil (UIU) dec. Jon Gorter (SMSU), 3-2 | Tied 18-18
Upper Iowa wins by criteria – match points (35-31)