Seven of the 10 matches were decision victories while the other three were major decisions. Utah Valley's (7-9, 1-2 Western Wrestling Conference) Marc Fenwick, Casen Eldredge and Benjamin Kjar won their matches. Fenwick picked up a major decision victory for the Wolverines.
Taking advantage of an injury that kept regular UV starter Gehrhart Vuksinick out of the dual, NDSU (8-8, 2-1) jumped to a quick 7-0 lead with a pair of wins.
The dual started at the 157-pound weight class where regular 141-pounder Nathan Gardner of Utah Valley went up against the Bison's wrestler with the best record in Adam Aho. Gardner held his own before Aho recorded a late takedown to give him a 12-4 major decision win. Nate Kearsley, wrestling up one weight at 165, took a lead into the third period before opponent Vincent Salimen recorded a late take down and three-point near fall to take the match 12-7.
In one of the most dominating efforts of the day, Fenwick controlled much of the early part of the match, jumping to a 13-0 lead with a takedown and a series of near falls. Opponent Shannon Fettig managed to avoid being pinned but Fenwick cruised to a 14-4 major decision victory to cut NDSU's lead to 7-4.
Eldredge followed Fenwick with a 9-6 decision victory to tie the dual at 7-7. Down 6-5 in the third round, Eldredge recorded an escape to tie the match then a take down to take the lead. With riding time, Eldredge took the match.
After Mark Dennis fell 4-0 and Billy Green fell 6-3 in two tightly contested matches, Kjar recorded a 7-4 victory over NDSU's Eric Hoffman in the 125-pound matchup. Kjar controlled the match in the early going as he recorded a lightning quick takedown and three-point near fall. The tall Hoffman was able to avoid being pinned but Kjar prevailed 7-4 to cut the dual deficit to 13-10.
The Bison would win the final three matches of the day, one by major decision to take the dual by a 23-10 margin.
The Wolverines will have over a week to get healthy before they return to action, traveling to WWC foes Wyoming and Northern Colorado on Feb. 8 and 9.
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