DICKINSON, N.D. – Dickinson State women's wrestling returns to Scott Gymnasium this week for its first home duals of the 2025-26 campaign, beginning with Bismarck State College on Wednesday at 6 p.m. and followed by Minot State University on Sunday at 3 p.m. The matchups mark an important checkpoint for a Blue Hawk roster coming off one of its strongest competitive weekends of the early season. Dickinson State recorded multiple podium finishes at last week's Women's Conner Oppenheim Open, including a tournament title at 131 pounds, a runner-up finish at 145 and additional top-four placements throughout the lineup. The Blue Hawks also picked up four individual wins in their dual at Hastings and continue to show growth across all ten weights as the roster gains experience and depth.
The upcoming duals provide the first opportunity of the season for DSU to compete at home, offering a chance to build on recent momentum in front of the Scott Gymnasium crowd.
WEDNESDAY: BSC MAKES FIRST-EVER TRIP TO DICKINSON
Wednesday's dual against Bismarck State represents the first women's wrestling meeting between the two programs. The Mystics enter the contest ranked eighth in the Heart of America Athletic Conference and feature five athletes appearing in the latest HAAC individual rankings: Jennifer Verdin at 103, Hailyann Turner at 110, Rei Ogden at 124, Alexis Schneider at 131 and Arionna Beatty at 160.
BSC is led by first-year head coach Tyshawn White, who was hired to launch the inaugural Mystics women's wrestling program this season. Wednesday's dual also provides early-season familiarity between some athletes. Several Blue Hawks and Mystics faced each other earlier this year at the Beaver Bash Open, giving both sides an early look at potential matchups while others will be meeting for the first time.
For Dickinson State, weights from 110 through 160 have been especially productive in recent weeks. Athletes such as Myriam Riley, Mikayla Jardine, Birta McCaskill, Makenzie Shaw and Savannah Brehm all delivered significant bracket runs at the Conner Oppenheim Open, while upper weights Bridgette Price and Isabella Urias have shown continued progress with multiple bonus-point victories. The dual with BSC offers another valuable test for a DSU lineup that is growing more consistent each outing.
SUNDAY: RENEWING A REGIONAL SERIES WITH MINOT STATE
The Blue Hawks close the week with a Sunday matchup against Minot State, renewing a regional rivalry that has featured four meetings over the past three seasons. Dickinson State holds a 4-0 series lead, including wins at the Beaver Bash Duals and in last year's home meeting at Scott Gymnasium.
Minot State enters the dual with two Region 6 ranked wrestlers: Haleigh Lematta at 145 and Aniya Herbin at 207. The Beavers are led by head coach Brittney Mitchem, who has guided the program since its inaugural season in 2022. Sunday's matchup brings a contrasting style to what the Blue Hawks will see on Wednesday. DSU's middleweights have historically performed well in this dual, and the Blue Hawks will look to repeat the balanced team performance that produced wins of 27-22, 35-14, 39-9 and 35-14 in previous meetings.
BLUE HAWKS BUILDING ON EARLY-SEASON MOMENTUM
Dickinson State approaches the home stand with a roster that continues to show steady development, bolstered by the return of Jenna Gerhardt at 110 pounds. Gerhardt, ranked eleventh in the NAIA, adds veteran stability to the lightweights and gives the Blue Hawks an immediate scoring threat after missing last week's road trip.
The team's performance in Nebraska featured a championship at 131 pounds, podium finishes at 124, 131, 145 and 207 and several deep runs from wrestlers competing in some of the deepest brackets of the early season. McCaskill, Shaw and Jardine each delivered high-volume scoring performances in Crete. Brehm advanced to the finals at 145 behind a blend of pace and mat control, while Price and Urias both added falls and pushed into the placement rounds. Riley, Fernandez and Anderson contributed additional wins against strong competition, demonstrating the depth that continues to emerge across the roster.
With Gerhardt returning and the lineup carrying momentum from the Conner Oppenheim Open, this week's home duals give DSU a timely opportunity to translate tournament success into team points. Back-to-back matchups against a new conference opponent in Bismarck State and a familiar regional rival in Minot State will test the Blue Hawks' consistency as they continue to build toward the heart of the season.
UP NEXT
Dickinson State concludes its two-dual home stand on Sunday before returning to tournament action Friday, January 9th in Cedar Falls, Iowa at the NWCA Duals, marking the midpoint of the 2025-26 season.
