Dickinson State University (DSU) set a commanding tone early in their wrestling dual against Bismarck State College, securing a decisive victory of 42-5 on December 11, 2023. Senior wrestler Wyatt Engwicht ignited the crowd at Scott Gymnasium by scoring six quick points and pinning his opponent in just over a minute, establishing momentum for the Blue Hawks.
Engwicht emphasized the importance of starting strong. “You have to set the tone, because that first match is important,” he said. “If I go out and beat the crap out of the guy, it’s just the next guy up, and they get all fired up.” This early pin served as a catalyst for the team, which went on to win nine of the ten matches in the dual, complemented by two additional exhibition victories.
The Blue Hawks’ head coach, Justin Schlecht, noted the significance of beginning the dual with strong performances. “Starting off a dual with some big wins is obviously a big momentum thing,” he stated. “Duals are tricky because you have momentum up and down. It’s like a roller coaster.” With a roster brimming with confidence, the Blue Hawks maintained their energy throughout the evening.
Despite the overwhelming success, DSU recognized areas for improvement. The team allowed only one Bismarck State wrestler to score points, yet Schlecht pointed out that the Blue Hawks need to finish matches more decisively. “There’s definitely still room for improvement in the matches we dropped,” he acknowledged. “We need to clean some things up, and more than anything just become more offensive and more aggressive in some of our matches.”
The team showcased a variety of victory methods, with Engwicht, Cutter Jones, and Connor Bleymeyer each achieving 6-0 falls. They also contributed three technical falls and three decision victories to reach the impressive 42-point total. “The good thing is after each of those matches, the guys are already beginning the learning process and making adjustments, because we want to get better,” Schlecht remarked.
As the Blue Hawks prepare for their next challenge against Minot State University on December 12, they aim to build on their performance against Bismarck State. Last year, they faced a setback, losing 37-11 to the Beavers, but this time they are motivated to change the outcome. Engwicht expressed optimism for the season ahead, stating, “We’re excited for this year. This is just the beginning. We got a lot to improve on, and it’s just going to get better and better throughout the year.”
With their sights set on improvement, the Blue Hawks are ready to take on the challenges ahead, fueled by their recent success and a commitment to continuous development.
