Jackrabbits hold off Air Force, 23-15

Sunday, January 24

Brookings, S.D.

11:30 a.m.

South Dakota State University

Air Force

Jackrabbit wrestling season ends at nationals

1/24/2016 2:02:00 PM | Wrestling

By: SDSU Sports Info

The South Dakota State University wrestling team wrapped up a perfect weekend homestand, holding off Air Force, 23-15, in a Big 12 Conference dual Sunday at Frost Arena.

In winning their eighth straight dual, the Jackrabbits improved to 9-5 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12 Conference. Air Force dropped to 5-4 overall, 0-3 against Big 12 opposition.

Senior 125-pounder Ben Gillette got the Jackrabbits out to a quick start, posting a 15-4 major decision over Drew Romero in the first bout of the day.

The two squads then traded pins as Air Force's Josh Martinez recorded a third-period pin over 17^th-ranked Brance Simms at 133 pounds and Jackrabbit 141-pounder Seth Gross countered with a first-period pin of Dylan Hyder.

SDSU built its lead to 16-6 with back-to-to back decisions by Alex Kocer and Cody Pack. Pack's 10-6 victory over Alex Mossing in the 157-pound bout was his 20^th victory of the season and 105^th of his career.

David Kocer posted his team-leading 21^st win of the season with a 19-6 major decision over Zen Ikehara in the 174-pound weight class. Nate Rotert, ranked 14^th, secured the Jackrabbit victory as he hung on for a 9-8 decision against 18^th-ranked Parker Hines at 197 pounds.

The Jackrabbits resume home action Friday by hosting Wyoming in a Big 12 Conference dual. Action begins at 7 p.m. at Frost Arena.

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 23, AIR FORCE 15
125: Ben Gillette (SDSU) major dec. Drew Romero (AF), 15-4 [SDSU 4, AF 0]
133: Josh Martinez (AF) def. #17 Brance Simms (SDSU), by fall 6:00 [AF 6, SDSU 4]
141: Seth Gross (SDSU) def. Dylan Hyder (AF), by fall 2:50 [SDSU 10, AF 6]
149: Alex Kocer (SDSU) dec. Alex Mossing (AF), 12-9 [SDSU 13, AF 6]
157: #6 Cody Pack (SDSU) dec. Zach Stepan (AF), 10-6 [SDSU 16, AF 6]
165: Alex Lopouchanski (AF) dec. Logan Peterson (SDSU), 7-3 [SDSU 16, AF 9]
174: David Kocer (SDSU) major dec. Zen Ikehara (AF), 19-6 [ SDSU 20, AF 9]
184: Anthony McLaughlin (AF) dec. Brady Ayers (SDSU), 3-2 [ SDSU 20, AF 12]
197: #14 Nate Rotert (SDSU) dec. #18 Parker Hines (AF), 8-7 [ SDSU 23, AF 12]
285: Marcus Malecek (AF) dec. Alex Macki (SDSU), 2-0 [SDSU 23, AF 15]