University of Minnesota Athletics
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Bison Open
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Gophers Set to Kick Off 2021-22 Season at Bison Open
11/11/2021 12:00:00 PM | Wrestling
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota Wrestling is set to kick off a new year of wrestling this weekend as they travel to Fargo, N.D., to compete in the Bison Open on Saturday. Similar to previous years, the Gophers will send the majority of their roster to compete in the tournament, and will have multiple competitors in each weight class.
The Gophers last competed in the Bison Open in 2019, finishing the event with five champions and ten finalists. Among those champions were current Gopher wrestlers Patrick McKee, Brent Jones, and Brayton Lee.
Among other schools competing in the Bison Open will be host North Dakota State and South Dakota State, as well as local lower-division schools Minnesota State-Moorhead, Northern State, Minot State, and University of Mary.
Fans can follow along to live updates on Twitter at @GopherWrestling or check in to the tournament page for live bracket updates here.
Ranked Clashes
While the Bison Open may potentially be considered a low-profile tournament, there will still be plenty of competition to be had. Of the three Division-I teams slated to be in attendance, they house a combined 18 ranked wrestlers according to FloWrestling, and seven weight divisions could have multiple ranked wrestlers in the bracket. Some potential matchups to look out for include a potential showdown between No. 5 Brayton Lee and No. 11 Jared Franek (NDSU), as well as a tough 165-bracket that includes No. 18 Andrew Sparks, NDSU's sixth-ranked Luke Weber, and No. 21 Tanner Cook of SDSU.
Fresh Faces
This weekend will also provide an opportunity for some new faces to make their debut, as Minnesota's incoming freshman class will see their first collegiate action in a Gopher singlet. The freshman class, which was ranked as the 2021's seventh-best recruiting class, included Jager Eisch, Blaine Brenner, Vance VomBaur, Drew Roberts, Gabe Nagel, and Bennett Tabor.
Lineup Implications
With some key departures from the Gopher lineup after last season, a few lineup spots will be up for grabs as this weekend's tournament will act as a wrestle-off as the Gophers approach the dual season. Regardless of this weekend's outcome, Minnesota is guaranteed to see some new faces in the starting lineup come next week when they host Oklahoma State for the first dual of the year.