Dickinson State returns to dual competition this week with two meets in consecutive days, beginning at home against Bismarck State College on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. inside Scott Gymnasium and continuing Friday evening on the road against Minot State University in Minot, N.D. The duals come after a strong showing at the Conner Oppenheim Open, where the Blue Hawks battled through full brackets and produced several standout performances against one of the deepest early-season fields in the NAIA.
The Blue Hawks enter the week ranked No. 19 nationally and fifth in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, with updated conference and national polls expected later this week. Multiple DSU wrestlers used the Oppenheim Open to reinforce or build on their current standing. Senior 125-pounder Wyatt Engwicht delivered one of Dickinson State's signature moments with a first-period pin over Doane's No. 13-ranked Brian Peck, adding a ranked win to his résumé ahead of dual competition. At 184 pounds, ninth-ranked Jackson King showed why he holds the top conference ranking by piling up three wins, including a tech fall and a first-period pin. Fellow 184-pounder Jack Simons, ranked sixth in the conference, added a 9-3 decision and continued to provide depth in one of DSU's strongest weight classes.
At 197 pounds, 18th-ranked Donivan Giangregorio produced Dickinson State's top tournament placement with a runner-up finish, scoring two tech falls and a major decision on his way to the championship match. Behind him, redshirt freshman Charlie Larsen surged through the consolations with four straight pins to place inside the top six, contributing one of the most productive runs of the day. Heavyweight and fifth-ranked All-American Seth Suvak added a first-period fall and continues to anchor the lineup as one of the top 285-pound competitors in the NAIA. The collective performances from DSU's upperweights highlighted the roster's experience, scoring ability and readiness to transition into dual season.
Scouting Bismarck State College
Dickinson State opens the week with Bismarck State College, which continues its transition from junior college competition into the NAIA. Although the Mystics do not appear in conference or national rankings, they have shown competitive stretches early in the season, including several strong outings at the MSU Moorhead Dragon Open. Their best performances came from 125-pounder Owen Lindstrom, who finished second in the White Division with a major decision, fall and tech fall, and from heavyweight Isaiah Horan, who also placed second. At 184 pounds, Greg Fuher and William Roundy added top-four finishes to give BSC productive upperweight depth.
Bismarck State and Minot State met earlier this season at the Beaver Bash Duals, where the Mystics fell 40-10 to the Beavers. BSC collected several competitive performances in the dual but struggled to generate sustained team scoring against Minot State's pace and upperweight control.
Scouting Minot State University
On Friday, Dickinson State travels to face NCAA Division II opponent Minot State. The Beavers are not nationally ranked but continue to develop under head coach Evan Forde, now in his tenth season leading the program. Their most recent outing was a 45-0 loss to ninth-ranked St. Cloud State.
Meaning of the Duals for Dickinson State
The back-to-back dual structure offers Dickinson State an important opportunity to evaluate lineup combinations, manage recovery and build rhythm. With several wrestlers trending upward following strong tournament results, the week offers a chance for the Blue Hawks to build competitive momentum heading into the holiday break in competition. The combination of a home crowd environment Thursday and a road test Friday delivers meaningful context for the Blue Hawks' continued development as they move toward the holiday break and the competitive January stretch.
Up Next
Following the dual at Minot State, Dickinson State returns to tournament action on Saturday, Jan. 3 at the Under Armour Invitational in Pella, Iowa.
