Maughans collide for wrestling dual
Northern Colorado wrestling coach Jack Maughan hasn’t experienced much success against his dad, but he has never had a team quite like this year’s.
Tonight at the Bison Sports Arena, Jack Maughan will try to even out his lopsided record against his dad, NDSU coach Bucky Maughan, when the two teams collide for a dual in Western Wrestling Conference action.
“I am not going to coach forever so I have to keep my record good against him,” Bucky Maughan said.
Jack Maughan was a two-time All-American while wrestling for his dad at NDSU in the mid-1980’s.
In 20 matches head-to-head, Jack Maughan has won just one match and tied another.
Despite having an un-intimidating record of 4-6, the Bears haven’t had an easy schedule.
Four of those losses came to Minnesota, Oregon State, Northern Iowa and Nebraska.
“I think Jack has the best team he has ever had at Northern Colorado,” Bucky Maughan said. “His record doesn’t show that because he has wrestled (Minnesota, Oregon State, Northern Iowa and Nebraska).”
In another tough match, Northern Colorado came out on the victorious end, defeating nationally ranked Harvard.
The Bears will give the Bison a fight in one class for sure.
At 141 pounds, Kenny Hashimito will give NDSU’s Gabe Mooney all he can handle.
Hashimoto not only wrestles, but he is one of the top Judo competitors in the United States. He is the No. 1-ranked junior competitor in the 60 kg (about 133 pounds) class. He has had success on the mat as well.
Hashimito is 17-2 this season and is ranked No. 17 in his class in the most recent InterMat/NWCA/NWMA Division I rankings.
“He has a lot freaky stuff; he is a tough kid,” Bucky Maughan said.
NDSU was dealt a blow last weekend when 184-pounder Matt Wetterling hurt his shoulder. Wetterling injured it during NDSU’s narrow 20-16 loss to Wyoming last week.
It is uncertain whether he will be ready to go tonight, but he did sit out of NDSU’s last match against Air Force.
Wetterling has been NDSU’s most consistent wrestler this year with a record of 5-1 in duals and has won his last six total matches.
“We are as healthy as we’re probably going to get,” Bucky Maughan said. “Wetterling is the key, because he is the guy we thought for sure would be in the national championship. He still could because he is a tough kid.”
Bucky Maughan also said of his team, 165-pounder Mike Quamme has a bad shoulder as well, but is still competing.
The team seems content with filling the vacant heavyweight class with Justin Lagosh.
The spot was left open by Mike Maresh, who left the team to concentrate on football.
Lagosh regularily wrestles at 197 pounds, but has adjusted to wrestling in the higher class.
Through Wednesday, Lagosh is 9-5 and has the second most pins on the team with five.
“(Lagosh) has to be very smart out there,” Maughan said, “because when you are wrestling 285 pounds after about a minute you have a big slimy lard ball out there and you can’t doing anything with them because they sweat like crazy.”
Lagosh agrees that he has had to completely change his style.
“I try to get all the action going right away,” Lagosh said. “I have to wrestle completely different.”