ST. CLOUD, Minn. --  The second-ranked Parkside wrestling program closed out the road portion of the NSIC schedule on Friday night against the top-ranked St. Cloud State Huskies. The bouts were close from start to finish between the top two ranked teams in Division II, with no bonus points being scored and two bouts being decided in sudden victory. The Huskies were able to come out on top of the Rangers by a final score of 18-12.
 
The Huskies opened the night with the advantage. Conor Knopick defeated twelfth-ranked Shane Corrigan 4-1 in the 125lb bout thanks to a takedown in the first overtime.
 
Fifth-ranked Matthew Chi tied the dual up in the 133lb bout, defeating eighth-ranked Sam Spencer by an 8-6 decision. Spencer scored first with a takedown in the first period. Chi escaped and trailed 3-1 after the first three minutes. Chi started on bottom in the second period and pulled within one on an escape. Chi got his offense going in the third period with two takedowns which was enough to secure the win.
 
Parkside took their only lead of the night when top-ranked 141lb wrestler Cayden Henschel defeated thirteenth-ranked Alyeus Craig. Henschel recorded the only takedown of the bout in the first period and was able to hang on for the victory.
 
St. Cloud tied the dual up again when thirteenth-ranked Colby Njos defeated eleventh-ranked Easton Worachek in a closely contested 2-1 decision at 149 lbs. Riding time was the difference, with Njos racking up enough time in the third period to secure the win.
 
The Huskies took the lead for good after the fifth bout of the night when top-ranked Joel Jesuroga defeated seventh-ranked Ben Durocher in the 157lb bout. Jesuroga notched the only takedown of the bout in the third period, which was enough to secure the win.
 
After the break, third-ranked Nick Novak was able to defeat ninth-ranked Dajun Johnson in the 165lb bout by an 8-1 decision. Novak scored quickly in the first with a takedown and near fall points. The big first period was enough to secure the victory.
 
Second-ranked Bryce Dagel kept the momentum going for the Huskies, defeating Brady Schuh 8-5 in the 174lb bout. Dagel scored two takedowns in the first to grab an early lead. Schuh tried to mount a comeback in the third with a takedown but couldn't secure a second one to tie the bout.
 
Third-ranked Reece Worachek tried to get the Rangers back in the dual, winning by an 8-6 decision in the 184lb bout over ninth-ranked Bryce Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick scored first with a takedown. Worachek was able to escape to pull within two after the first period. Worachek was on bottom to begin the second period and was able to escape to pull within one. He then got to his offense in the third period, notching two takedowns to secure the victory.
 
Second ranked Dominic Murphy shut the door on a Ranger comeback with a win by an 8-3 decision over Chase Stegall in the 197lb bout. After a scoreless first period, a reversal gave Murphy a 2-1 lead after five minutes of action. He was able to secure the victory with two third period takedowns.
 
Seventh ranked Lloyd Reynolds closed the night on a high note for the Rangers, winning 2-1 in sudden victory over fifth ranked La'Ron Parks in the heavyweight bout. Each wrestler was able to escape when starting on bottom in the second and third period. Reynolds then was able to earn an escape point in overtime to secure the victory.
 
The Rangers will return to action on February 7th when Minnesota State University Moorhead comes to De Simone Arena. The dual is set for 7:00pm. Links to coverage can be found at ParksideRangers.com/coverage.