MISSOULA, Mont. – The second verse was the same as the first, as (9) Argo wrestling beat North Idaho College for the second time this season, with virtually the same score. Back in November UGF beat the Cardinals 25-16. This time around the margin was 29-16.
Once again it was redshirt-freshman (4)
John Hensley and sophomore
Matt Hopkins who made an otherwise close dual a comfortable win for UGF in the final two weight classes.
Heading into the match at 197, UGF held a slim 17-16 lead over the Cardinals, meaning the final two matches would determine the overall outcome of the dual. Back in November, this scenario brought with it some uncertainty as to how the two young wrestlers would respond for the Argos.
Two months later and the feeling was much different. Hensley and Hopkins have made a habit of closing out duals for UGF, particularly close. They did it again, starting with Hensley who actually sealed the victory with his performance alone.
Hensley earned six points for the Argos with a win by Fall (5:37), that put the dual one point out of reach. Even before pinning his opponent, the redshirt-freshman was already well on his way to earning extra points. With the score at 23-9 in the third period, all Hensley needed was one more point to earn a Technical Fall, instead he did one better with the pin.
Not to be outdone, Hopkins followed Hensley with a pin of his. He didn't wait for the dramatics though, winning by Fall (2:50).
Those two accounted for two of UGF's six wins in the dual, including a third win by Fall. That third pin came from freshman (5)
Shonn Roberts at 149. That match was no blowout when Roberts got the pin at 2:58. While he did score two takedowns, an escape, and a two-point near fall, he also gave up two two-point reversals which put the score at 7-4 before he finished the match.
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Isaac Wilson started the Argos off on the right foot at 125. The redshirt-junior came close to earning a fourth pin for UGF, getting two four-point and one two-point near pins on his way to a 17-2 Technical Fall victory. The other two winners for UGF were redshirt-senior
Justin Whitman with a 9-5 decision at 141 and redshirt-freshman
Randy Keesler with a 5-3 decision at 174.
With the win, UGF's record improved to 11-2 in duals on the season. The next test for the Argos will be another road dual, this time against Northwest College (Wyo.) on January 18 at 7 p.m.
