Upper Iowa, currently ranked No. 9 in the nation, won eight bouts in their Northern Sun Conference opener with Minnesota State University Moorhead in northwest Minnesota on Saturday to secure a 34-9 victory and improve to 5-2 overall and 1-0 in the NSIC.
The Peacocks posted five bonus-point wins in the dual including a pair of falls, a tech fall and two major decisions to account for 10 extra points on the scoreboard. Upper Iowa posted big advantages in takedowns (27-6) and reversals (4-1).
The Peacocks and Dragons split the first two matches of the dual and were tied when UIU's win streak began. The dual opened at heavyweight where No. 9
Zach Ryg defeated Airin Spell by decision 9-3 behind three takedowns and a ride time point. MSUM fired back with a 10-4 win by Clayson Mele over
Colby Lopez at 125 pounds.
Kaden Anderlik took the mat in the 133-pound bout and posted an 11-2 major decision fueled by two takedowns, a reversal and a pair of two-point nearfalls. The major was the first of three-straight, bonus-point wins for the visitors. No. 5
Tate Murty and
Ethen Doty both recorded first period falls at 141 and 149 pounds, respectively, to push Upper Iowa's lead to 19-3.
Eric Faught (157) scored four takedowns in his match against Peyton Ringling to notch a 9-5 win before
Chase Luensman dominated the 165-pound bout with 12 takedowns to register a 25-10 tech fall just 10 seconds into the third period. The two additional wins moved the Peacocks ahead 27-3.
Scott Kellenberger used a first-period takedown and a second-period reversal on his way to a 6-4 decision at 174 pounds over Anthony Castro and then
Colter Bye took a 4-0 lead into the final period and then ran away with a 13-1 major after hitting a second reversal and takedown with a four-point nearfall.
With a 34-3 lead heading into the final match at 197 pounds, the Peacocks left the weight open as the Dragons scored the final six points of the dual on the forfeit to set the final score at 34-9.
Upper Iowa will have little time to celebrate as they move from Moorhead, Minn. to Aberdeen, S.D. for the second dual of the weekend on Sunday, Jan. 14. The Peacocks will take on the No. 21 Wolves of Northern State University at 2 p.m.
No. 9 Upper Iowa 34 - MSU Moorhead 9
285:
Zach Ryg (UIU) over Airin Spell (MSUM) (Dec 9-3)
125: Clayson Mele (MSUM) over
Colby Lopez (UIU) (Dec 10-4)
133:
Kaden Anderlik (UIU) over Thomas Carillo (MSUM) (MD 11-2)
141:
Tate Murty (UIU) over Hunter Hayes (MSUM) (Fall 1:25)
149:
Ethen Doty (UIU) over Jacob Davis (MSUM) (Fall 1:03)
157:
Eric Faught (UIU) over Peyton Ringling (MSUM) (Dec 9-5)
165:
Chase Luensman (UIU) over Jonas Anez (MSUM) (TF 25-10 5:10)
174:
Scott Kellenberger (UIU) over Anthony Castro (MSUM) (Dec 6-4)
184:
Colter Bye (UIU) over Caleb Vacura (MSUM) (MD 13-1)
197: Samuel Grove (MSUM) over (UIU) (For.)
