MITCHELL - The Northern State wrestling team, which received votes in the national poll this week, broke open a tight dual match with a win at 149 pounds.
The Wolves, who won six of last seven matches, recorded a 27-9 non-conference win over Dakota Wesleyan on Wednesday. Northern improved to 2-0 and Dakota Wesleyan fell to 2-2.
The match, which started at 125 pounds, began well for the Wolves as Anthony Bruno recorded a pin. Then, the Tigers tacked on two wins to tie the match at 5-all.
"It was a tough dual from the beginning," said NSU coach Pat Timm. "Anthony got a pin for us, but they won at 133 and 141. Gavin Larsen wrestled smart and methodical at 149. He stepped up and stopped the momentum and it snowballed for us from there."
Larsen finished with a 2-0 win over Dusty Paulsen to give the Wolves a lead they would never lose. Chad Gibson's pin at 184 pounds secured the team win for NSU.
"A quick pin by Chad, a senior captain and leader, put an exclamation point on the dual and put it out of reach. Matt (Meuleners) finished up with a major decision. He's consistent," said Timm.
Meuleners, a two-time national champion, is ranked first in the nation at heavyweight again this week.
"Overall, I thought we competed and that's the second week in a row that we've competed. We'll have to bring that again against Chadron State. We'll have to improve," said Timm.
The Wolves will host Chadron (Neb.) State on Saturday in a 4 p.m. dual at Wachs Arena. Northern will finish the 2012 portion of the schedule at the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. 15-16.
125 pounds, Anthony Bruno, Northern, pinned Zach Nelson.
133 pounds, Richard Rios, Dakota Wesleyan, def. Tyler Frost, 10-4.
141 pounds: Karl Bell, Dakota Wesleyan, def. Ian Muirhead, 7-3.
149 pounds: Gavin Larsen, Northern, def. Dusty Paulsen, 2-0.
157 pounds: Neil Sell, Northern, def. Trever DeVestern, 10-4.
165 pounds: Blake Lundgren, Northern, def. Kyle Gerlach, 6-4.
174 pounds: Tyler Sarringar, Dakota Wesleyan, def. Anthony Navarro, 13-3.
184 pounds: Chad Gibson, Northern, pinned Kyle Hoisington.
197 pounds: Baker Haar, Northern, def. Jade Hoisington, 9-4.
Hwt.: Matt Meuleners, Northern, def. Eric Gruis, 18-7.