11/15/05

Wrestling Wins First Dual Meet of Season

by Garret Felder
November 15, 2005

Teams like Nebraska-Omaha and Augustana proved last year that high-ranked teams win meets even when they underacheiveded.

According to Minnesota State head wrestling coach Jim Makovsky, this also proved true for the Mavericks' first dual meet victory of the season.

After defeating St. John's 33-7 Wednesday and having two individual second-place finishes at the Pointer Open in Stevens Point, Wis., Saturday, the Mavericks began proving to any doubters why they deserve to be the No. 2 nationally ranked team by the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches' Association.

"We didn't wrestle very well at St. John's, partially because their wrestling style was a little different than what we are used to," Makovsky said. "But we had a much better performance at Stevens Point and most of our losses were to Division I kids."

The Mavericks went up against a few Division I wrestlers from Wisconsin and Illinois and even had a case of MSU teammates facing each other at the Pointer Open.

Senior tri-captain Math Bitz and redshirted sophomore Brandon Girtz each wrestled at the 157-pound weight class. They crossed paths in the brackets for third place during the open. Girtz won the match and took team bragging rights with a 3-1 decision.

"It's tough for teammates to wrestle, but I wish I had 10 situations like it because it makes them work harder," Makovsky said. "Competition is the American way, but it gets personal and unfortunately there is a victory and a loss involved here."

Adding to the mix of wrestlers fighting for a starting spot, junior tri-captain Jason Rhoten is progressing in his recovery from his broken leg.

"Optimistically, [Rhoten] will be ready by early December," Makovsky said. "But he is getting closer and he will definitely be ready by January."

The Mavericks head to Omaha, Neb., to take on some of the best Division I wrestling talent from Oklahoma State, Minnesota, and Iowa at the UNO Open Saturday.