MSU overcomes flu, beats MSU-Moorhead, SMSU

Here's an article that I wrote for the MSU Reporter print edition. I have since revised it and made it fit for online publication.

MSU overcomes flu, beats MSU-Moorhead, SMSU

By Tyler Buckentine

The Minnesota State wrestling team has recently found what it can do when it's healthy, and what the Mavericks are limited to when they're sick.

In the wake of a flu-bug that spread through the MSU locker room, the Mavericks returned to full strength, dominating the weekend's competition - 40-3 against Minnesota State Moorhead and 49-0 at Southwest Minnesota State.

It was 11 days ago when flu-bugged No. 1 MSU was wiped out at No. 2 Nebraska-Omaha 32-7. Though some of the wrestlers competed with the flu, two regular starters - Tommy Abbott and Travis Elg - were sidelined with the illness.

"We definitely didn't compete at 100 percent," 149-pounder Abbott said.

Last Monday, only 8 wrestlers felt well enough to practice so it was unclear where the team's health would be Friday against the Dragons.

The Mavericks had a full lineup Friday, with the exception of Nick Smith, who sat out with a concussion.

No. 5 Abbott returned to the mat Friday, where he pinned MSU-Moorhead's Troy MacFarland - who filled in for No. 7 Shane Walton - in 1:20 at 149 pounds.

"I wanted to wrestle [Walton] because that would've been a good match to get under my belt before regionals," Abbott said.

Elg - who also sat out with the flu against UNO - picked up 2 wins last weekend with a decision and a technical fall.

Friday's match was highlighted by Jason Rhoten's 21-5 tech fall over Tallen Wald at 157 pounds because with the win, Rhoten shattered MSU-Mankato's all-time wins record of 126 victories set by Jack Eustice in 1977.

"Nobody is more deserving of recognition than Jason is," Mavericks coach Jim Makovsky said. "He's been such a huge difference maker in our program."

"Rhoten is a machine," Abbott said. "He works hard on and off the mat and he's an all-around good guy."

Rhoten turned around and got a pin Saturday against the Mustangs' Logan McAlpin in 2:01.

8 out of ten wrestlers earned bonus points for the Mavericks at least once over the weekend starting at 133 pounds with John Putman, who got a major decision and a tech fall.

No. 4 Andy Pickar won by forfeit Friday, but got a 21-5 tech fall over SMSU's C.D. Johnson at 165 pounds. Ben Becker and Tom Block each picked up major decisions at 184 and 197 pounds, respectively, and Brady Wilson pinned MSU-Moorhead's Jon Swart.

Rhoten's wasn't the only record-breaker Friday. The Mavericks (17-1-1, 7-1-1 North Region) set a new program record for dual wins in a season after slaying the Dragons.

MSU-Mankato will host No. 11 St. Cloud State in the North Central Conference finale Friday against Truman State Saturday. Both duals will start at 7 p.m. at the Taylor Center.