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Minnesota Drops Dual 21-12 at No.11 Oklahoma State
11/24/2019 4:31:00 PM | Wrestling
STILLWATER, Ok. – On the road against the No.11 Oklahoma State Cowboys, the No. No. 12 Minnesota wrestling program fell 21-12. Despite dropping the dual, the Gophers finished strong with victories in three of the final four weight-classes.
The Gophers first road dual of the season featured multiple thousands in attendance at historic Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Mitch McKee got the Gophers' first point on the board at 141-pounds with a comeback decision victory. McKee trailed 3-2 late in the match, but erupted for a six-point takedown and turn that gave him a 10-5 advantage. McKee had Hone in danger for the last 20 seconds of the match but was unable to flatten out his opponent for the fall.
The second Maroon and Gold victory at 174-pounds came as No. 10 Devin Skatzka showed his dominance in the op position over the Cowboys' Andrew Shomers. While he gave up the first takedown, Skatzka quickly got a reversal to flip the script. By the end of the bout Skatkza had amassed over 2:00 riding time.
Check out the key reversal for Devin Skatzka as he got the decision victory! pic.twitter.com/Yhm3SxBX81
— Minnesota Wrestling (@GopherWrestling) November 24, 2019
Minnesota's lone upset victory came at 184-pounds when Owen Webster knocked off No. 18 Anthony Montalvo in a tight 4-3 decision. A huge takedown with only seconds remaining in the second period proved to be the key moment.
UPSET! Owen secures a huge second period takedown to knock off No.18 Anthony Montalvo! pic.twitter.com/9fE41dWhGn
— Minnesota Wrestling (@GopherWrestling) November 24, 2019
Bobby Steveson ended the dual on a positive note for the Gophers with a big 11-5 decision at heavyweight. Steveson recorded five takedowns while his opponent had none.
In the opening bout of the dual, 125-pound Pat McKee gave his top-five opponent an upset scare. While McKee and Nick Piccininni both recorded escapes, Piccininni's 1:01 riding time total earned him an extra point and, as a result, the victory.
One of a handful of Gophers making their first career start against the Cowboys, Bailee O'Reilly nearly upset No. 15 Travis Wittlake. The 165-pound bout saw O'Reilly take a brief lead in the third period before Wittlake took control with a takedown before riding out the remainder of the battle.
Taking on a top-ten opponent himself in his first career road dual, 197-pound Garrett Joles battled hard, but Dakota Geer took control as the match came to a close.
While he dropped the battle, Brayton Lee fought hard for the Gophers in the afternoon's only top-ten match-up. Tied 3-3 entering the final period against No.6 Boo Lewallen, Lee was unable to escape before Lewallen finished off the bout with nearfall points.
Carson Brolsma's bout against Wyatt Sheets was a similar story as the pair were battling in a 1-1 match before Sheets exploded for a takedown and turn to secure the decision.
At 133-pounds, Brent Jones had a strong first period as he built an 8-4 lead. Later in the match, Jones was caught by Reece Witcraft and stuck to his back.
Full Results
125: No. 4 Nick Piccininni dec. (3-2) over Pat McKee (Cowboys lead 3-0)
133: Reece Witcraft fall (3:56) Brent Jones (Cowboys lead 9-0)
141: No. 4 Mitch McKee dec. (10-5) over Dusty Hone (Cowboys lead 9-3)
149: No. 6 Boo Lewallen dec. (8-3) over No.10 Brayton Lee (Cowboys lead 12-3)
157: Wyatt Sheets dec (8-1) over Carson Brolsma (Cowboys lead 15-3)
165: No. 15 Travis Wittlake dec. (5-3) over Bailee O'Reilly (Cowboys lead 18-3)
174: No. 10 Devin Skatzka dec. (5-2) over Andrew Shomers (Cowboys lead 18-6)
184: Owen Webster dec. (4-3) over No. 18 Anthony Montalvo (Cowboys lead 18-9)
197: No.8 Dakota Geer dec. (7-2) over Garrett Joles (Cowboys lead 21-9)
285: Bobby Steveson dec. (11-5) over Austin Harris (Cowboys win 21-12)