Jacks Drop Home Finale to Bison on Senior Day

Sunday, February 22

Brookings, S.D.

2 p.m.

South Dakota State University

North Dakota State

2/22/2015 5:30:00 PM | Wrestling

By: SDSU Sports Info

BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State (11-8, 3-2 WWC) dropped its regular-season finale to #19 North Dakota State (9-4, 5-0 WWC) 19-13 in front of program-record 956 fans on Senior Day.

With the win, NDSU won the Western Wrestling Conference regular-season dual championship outright.

SDSU won four matches against the Bison, including a major decision by Colin Holler at 157-lbs.

"We had one of our best efforts today,” head coach Chris Bono said. “We brought the fight. We knew we needed 141 or 149 to have a chance, but we didn't get it done in certain positions.”

Junior Brance Simms got SDSU on the board at 133-lbs with a 7-4 decision over Kyle Gliva. Simms came out strong and scored a takedown 15 seconds into the first period before taking a 4-3 lead into the third. In the final period, Simms added a reversal for the 7-4 final.

The Bison won consecutive matches before Colin Holler made his return to the Jackrabbit lineup with a 16-7 major decision over Mitch Friedman at 157. Holler led 6-5 heading into the third period before breaking out with a 10-point period. Holler opened the period with a reversal and added nearfall twice in the final frame.

Senior Cody Pack, who is ranked #7 at 157-lbs, bumped up a weight class for the first time all season and defeated Steven Keogh, 7-5 to give SDSU a 10-9 lead. Pack scored takedowns in all three periods and added riding time for the 7-5 final.

The Bison again won back-to-back matches before #24 Nate Rotert defeated Tommy Peterson, 8-2. Rotert was the aggressor from the get go but didn't didn't score until the closing moments of the first when he got a takedown and two back points. Rotert's effort was rewarded in the second as Peterson got his second stalling before Rotert scored an additional takedown.

NDSU won the heavyweight finale between a showdown of ranked wrestlers as #15 Evan Knutson bested SDSU's J.J. Everard, who is ranked #32.

“We're disappointed with the outcome, but we will be ready for conference in a couple weeks,” Bono added. “Our whole season has been geared towards March. Now it's go time.”

The Western Wrestling Conference Championships are March 7 in Fargo.

NDSU 19, SDSU 13

125: #13 Josh Rodriguez (NDSU) over Isaac Andrade (SDSU) – Dec., 7-2

133: Brance Simms (SDSU) over Kyle Gliva (NDSU) – Dec., 7-4

141: #29 Mitch Bengston (NDSU) over Luke Zilverberg (SDSU) – Dec., 5-3

149: Clay Ream (NDSU) over Alex Kocer (SDSU) – Dec., 7-5

157: Colin Holler (SDSU) over Mitch Friedman (NDSU) – Maj., 16-7

165: #7 Cody Pack (SDSU) over Steven Keogh (NDSU) – Dec., 7-5

174: #24 Kurtis Julson (NDSU) over David Kocer (SDSU) – Dec., 4-1

184: #8 Hayden Zillmer (NDSU) over Brady Ayers (SDSU) – Maj., 21-7

197: #24 Nate Rotert (SDSU) over Tommy Peterson (NDSU) – Dec., 8-2

285: #15 Evan Knutson (NDSU) over #32 J.J. Everard (SDSU) – Dec., 5-0

NOTE: Cody Pack is ranked #7 at 157 pounds…SDSU recognized seniors Joe Brewster, Shea Nolan, John Nething II and Cody Pack for their final home dual prior to today's action.