For the second consecutive week, South Dakota State (3-3, 2-0 WWC) needed the final two matches to win a Western Wrestling Conference showdown. Alex Kocer (149) and Cody Pack (157) each won tightly-contested bouts to seal the 18-14 win over Air Force (7-5, 0-2 WWC).
“I’m glad to see the fight we had today,” head coach Chris Bono said. “It’s great to come away with a win and see the guys continue to buy in.”
Trailing 14-12 entering the 149 match, Kocer user a three-point nearfall at 3:17 to tie Natrelle Demison 4-4 entering the third period. Demison chose a neutral position, but gave up a takedown to Kocer at 5:08 to solidify the win for SDSU. With riding time, Kocer won, 7-4.
In the winner-take-all 157-pound bout, No. 18 Cody Pack came out on the offensive, recording a takedown and three-point nearfall at 1:38 to take a 5-0 lead, which stood until the third period. In the final stanza, Kreimier recorded an escape and takedown to close within one point, but Pack answered with an escape and takedown of his own at 6:50. Kreimier would escape again in the closing seconds, as Pack held on to win, 8-5.
“Cody is our guy and he came through in a big spot for us,” Bono said of Pack’s 8-5 win. “He has really bought in and the results are coming because of it.”
SDSU opened up a 9-0 lead after Joe Brewster (165), John Nething II (174) and Ben Schwery (184) all won their respective matches.
After dropping the 197-pound bout, J.J. Everard recorded a takedown in overtime to win, 6-4.
Air Force would battle back by winning three consecutive matches, including two major decisions, to take a 14-12 lead before Kocer and Pack answered.
SDSU opens February with a pair of duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Feb. 1 against Northern Iowa and Ohio.
