DWU wrestling schedule released for 2018-19 season

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University wrestling team's schedule has been released for the 2018-19 season, head wrestling coach Casey Mouw announced Monday.

 For the second year in a row, the Tigers will begin their season in Jamestown, N.D., competing at the Jamestown Open on Nov. 3. The newest members of the Great Plains Athletic Conference sent two wrestlers to the 2018 NAIA National Championships.

 DWU opens their home schedule on Nov. 9 with a dual against Concordia University, who boasted a 5-3 record in the GPAC last year. The Tigers face a quick turnaround, as they host the DWU Open on Nov. 10. The Tigers look to build off of a strong showing at the DWU Open last year, as seven different athletes picked up wins on the day.

 DWU will continue their homestand on Nov. 15, when they host Hastings College in a dual. Hastings placed third at the GPAC Championships last year. After a trip to Minneapolis for the Augsburg Open on Nov. 17, the Tigers return home on Nov. 20 to square off with Briar Cliff University in a dual. The Chargers are coming off a 7-1 GPAC record in 2017-18.

 Following their home dual on Nov. 20, the Tigers face a difficult road stretch, including trips to Crete, Neb., Indianola, Iowa and Kearney, Neb. Highlighting this stretch is a dual against NCAA Division II Augustana University, on Jan. 9. The Vikings had an 11-4 overall record last year, placing second in the Northern Sun Conference.

 The Tigers return home for Senior Day on Jan. 24, when they face off against Southwest Minnesota State University, who is also a NCAA Division II member and member of the Northern Sun Conference. The Tigers will be honoring a large class of five seniors on this day.

 On Jan. 26, DWU will travel to Sioux City, Iowa for the GPAC Duals. The Tigers will conclude their regular season on Feb. 7 with a dual in Jamestown. The GPAC Tournament will take place on Feb. 23 in Orange City, Iowa.

 "We are excited to get all of our guys on campus and start preparing for the upcoming season," Mouw said. "Some of them have really worked hard over the summer, and we look forward to seeing the product out on the mat."

 The Tigers look to make improvements this year, as head coach Casey Mouw brings in a strong recruiting class. The 2018 class is highlighted by in-state recruits, including South Dakota Class 'B' State Champion Paul Lusk from Salem, S.D., Zechariah Patterson from Rapid City, S.D., and Mitchell Messersmith from Lennox, S.D. Mouw also brings in two athletes from Minnesota, one from Illinois and one from Texas.