Mustangs defeat Dakota Wesleyan, climb to No. 17 in NAIA

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Mustangs men's wrestling team remained undefeated in GPAC dual competition with a 23-20 win over Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell Wednesday night.

Morningside won six matches on the night. Gabe Grice picked up the first win of the night for the Mustangs, a 1-0 decision at 133 pounds. Taylor Vasquez gave Morningside their first lead of the night with a 21-5 tech fall at 141 pounds.

Noah Styskal, Zander Ernst, and Caleb Connor earned wins by decision and Alex Vandyke earned six points for the Mustangs via forfeit from the Tigers. Connor's 2-0 decision at 197 pounds was the clinching victory for the Mustangs, as the lead sat at 23-17 with one match remaining, meaning the worst the Mustangs could do is tie.

Morningside has four matches coming up Saturday in the GPAC Duals Day 2. Morningside faces Hastings at 11 a.m., Midland at 2 p.m., Doane at 3:30 p.m., and Briar Cliff in a rescheduled dual at 5 p.m. The Mustangs are still in contention for the GPAC Duals Championship, a title they won last season by going undefeated in conference duals. Morningside has yet to lose a dual against a conference opponent this season.

Morningside is up to No. 17 in the NAIA Coaches' Top 20 entering Saturday's competitions. Doane is the only GPAC school ranked ahead of the Mustangs, being ranked No. 7. Briar Cliff, Dakota Wesleyan, Concordia, and Jamestown are receiving votes. Morningside has defeated three of those four teams already this season, with the match against Briar Cliff coming to end the day Saturday.