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MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team (1-0, 0-0 NSIC) will host Sioux Falls (S.D.) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in its home opener before traveling to St. Cloud, Minn., on Saturday to compete in the Husky Open.

Follow the Mustangs:  For updates on this weekend's Husky Open, be sure to check out SCSU's official athletics Web site at www.stcloudstate.edu/athletics.

Series record:  Wednesday will mark the third meeting between SMSU and USF.  The series first saw action back in the 1969-70 season.  After more than a 30-year hiatus, the two teams finally met again last season in Sioux Falls.  SMSU won that first meeting between the two programs and also posted a 31-10 victory over the Cougars in its season opener in 2008-09.

Dragon Open results:  Freshman Casey Field (Clarkfield, Minn.) captured the title at 157 pounds in the White Division and was one of 11 Mustang wrestlers to place at the Dragon Open hosted by MSU Moorhead last Saturday.  Micah Larson (Atwater, Minn.) was a runner-up finisher at 184 pounds in the White Division.  C.D. Johnson (LeRoy, Mich.) notched third-place accolades at 184 pounds in the Red Division, while Saifemichael Kenea (Woodbury, Minn.) brought home identical honors at 125 pounds in the White Division.  Justin Reinsma (Slayton, Minn.) and Travis Frederiksen (Cosmos), both wrestling in the White Division, also grabbed third-place accolades at 141 and 165 pounds, respectively.  Carter Ash (Milaca, Minn.) was a fifth-place finisher at 285 pounds in the Red Division.  A.J. Jenniges (Wabasso, Minn.) and William Fate (MeCosta, Mich.), both competing in the Red Division, locked down sixth-place finishes at 133 and 174 pounds, respectively .  Kyle Anderson (Coon Rapids, Minn.) and Aaron Hyde (Lapeer, Mich.) also charted sixth-place honors at 141 and 174 pounds to round out the Mustang place winners

Veteran personnel:  Wade Granger (North Bend, Neb.) and Brandan Schunk (Wabasso, Minn.) are this year's two seniors on the squad and will lead the Mustangs through the 2009-10 campaign.  Both joined the SMSU wrestling program after spending time in the junior college ranks.

According to the coaches:  The NSIC's head coaches tabbed SMSU seventh in the 2009 Preseason Coaches' Poll.  SMSU received 12 points in the poll.  Minnesota State received 54 points and took the top spot.
    Team            Points
    1.     Minnesota State    54
    2.     Augustana    48
    3.     Upper Iowa    45
            St. Cloud State    5
    5.     Minnesota State Moorhead    18
    6.     Northern State    16
    7.     Southwest Minnesota State    12
    8.     Mary    2

The coach:  Jesse Nelson enters his third year as head coach of the SMSU wrestling program.  Nelson owns a 4-18 record at SMSU and has charted improved campaigns in each of his seasons with the Mustangs.

Mustang wrestling online:  All of SMSU's wrestling contests this season will be broadcast at www.northernun.tv.  The Webcasts are free of charge, but users must set up an account with Penn Atlantic to view the matches.

Stay connected:  Stay connected with SMSU wrestling all season long at www.smsumustangs.com.  The Mustangs are also on Facebook and Twitter; just log onto www.facebook.com/smsumustangs and www.twitter.com/smsumustangs.  For the latest video highlights and new episodes of the Mustang Minute check out SMSU's official YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/smsuathletics.