Michigan State Wrestling Drops Final Big Ten Dual to No. 9 Minnesota, 37-6
MINNEAPOLIS - Michigan State wrapped up its Big Ten dual season on Sunday afternoon with a tough road matchup against No. 9 Minnesota, falling 37-6 inside Maturi Pavilion. The Spartans move to 4-9 overall and 1-7 in Big Ten duals, with one final tune-up left in the regular season - a showdown with in-state rival Central Michigan on February 20 at Jenison Field House.
While the final score was lopsided, there were a few bright spots for the Spartans, including a gritty win from redshirt sophomore Caleb Weiand at 133 pounds and a dramatic tiebreaker victory by Kael Wisler at 197.
Weiand Gets Back in the Win Column
For Caleb Weiand, Sunday was about getting back on track - and he did just that. The redshirt sophomore came out aggressive against Minnesota’s Blake Beissel, securing a takedown in the opening period and never giving up the lead. His 4-2 decision brought the team score to a 3-3 tie early, briefly halting Minnesota’s momentum.
Weiand’s performance was a reminder of the kind of control he can assert when he’s locked in. He dictated pace, stayed smart in scrambles, and closed out the match with poise - a solid bounce-back effort in the heart of Big Ten season.
Gophers Dominate Middle Weights
But after that early jolt from Weiand, Minnesota took over.
The Gophers rattled off four straight bonus-point wins from 141 to 165 pounds - and three of those came by fall. Vance Vombaur, Drew Roberts, and Charlie Millard each pinned their opponents in succession, turning a tied dual into a 20-3 Minnesota lead in the blink of an eye. Andrew Sparks followed with another fall at 165, and just like that, the dual was all but decided.
That stretch was a showcase of why Minnesota is ranked inside the top 10 - they’re deep, dangerous, and know how to finish.
O’Neill Comes Up Just Short
At 174 pounds, graduate wrestler Connor O’Neill gave Michigan State a chance to stop the bleeding. He opened strong with a first-period takedown against No.
24 Ethan Riddle, but couldn’t hold on as the match wore on. Riddle edged out a 7-6 decision in a bout that was tight from start to finish.
O’Neill battled to the final whistle, but Riddle’s late offense and ability to score in key moments proved decisive. It was one of those matches where a single scramble or ride-out could’ve flipped the result.
Wisler Wins a Thriller at 197
One of the highlights of the day for the Spartans came at 197 pounds, where redshirt junior Kael Wisler - ranked No. 23 - went toe-to-toe with No. 25 Gavin Nelson in a match that needed tiebreakers to settle.
After nine minutes of wrestling, the two were still deadlocked. But Wisler showed his grit in the extra frames, riding Nelson for 13 seconds in the first tiebreaker and escaping in just seven in the second. Then, with the match still hanging in the balance, he sealed it with a takedown in the final seconds to walk away with a 5-2 decision.
It was a gutsy, composed performance from Wisler - the kind of win that can build momentum heading into the postseason.
Gophers Close It Out
Minnesota capped the dual with a 2-0 decision at heavyweight, where No. 10 Koy Hopke edged out Josh Terrill. That final result brought the team score to 37-6 in favor of the Gophers.
Up Next
Michigan State has one more regular season dual on the calendar - a Friday night clash with Central Michigan at home. It’s a chance to reset, regroup, and close out the dual season on a high note before postseason competition ramps up.
Dual Breakdown: #9 Minnesota 37, Michigan State 6
February 15, 2026 | Maturi Pavilion | Minneapolis, Minn.
- 125: #14 Jore Volk (MINN) dec. Nick Corday, 9-2 | MINN 3-0
- 133: Caleb Weiand (MSU) dec. Blake Beissel, 4-2 | Tied 3-3
- 141: #9 Vance Vombaur (MINN) tech. Jaden Crumpler, 19-4 | MINN 8-3
- 149: #18 Drew Roberts (MINN) fall Clayton Jones (4:38) | MINN 14-3
- 157: #19 Charlie Millard (MINN) fall Darius Marines (4:42) | MINN 20-3
- 165: #11 Andrew Sparks (MINN) fall DJ Shannon (5:34) | MINN 26-3
- 174: #24 Ethan Riddle (MINN) dec.
Connor O'Neill, 7-6 | MINN 29-3
- 184: #4 Max McEnelly (MINN) tech.
Ryan Boucher, 19-4 | MINN 34-3
- 197: #23 Kael Wisler (MSU) dec.
#25 Gavin Nelson, 5-2 (TB-1) | MINN 34-6
- HWT: #10 Koy Hopke (MINN) dec.
Josh Terrill, 2-0 | MINN 37-6
It wasn’t the result Michigan State hoped for, but in a conference as deep and unforgiving as the Big Ten, every match is a test - and every win, like those from Weiand and Wisler, is a building block for what’s next.