Week five of the college wrestling season is a short one. Many of the teams are taking time off this week to allow their athletes to enjoy Thanksgiving with family and friends. There are enough college events over the weekend to give a wrestling junkie a chance to stay connected with the sport, between kickoffs and turkey leftovers. Not all of these events are streamed, so you might decide to go in person. Here are some highlights from week five.
No. 9 Minnesota at No. 14 South Dakota State
Date: Sunday, December 1
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: First Bank and Trust Arena, Brookings, S.D.
Where to Watch: Midco Sports Plus
With Olympic champion and two-time NCAA champion Gable Steveson again anchoring the lineup at heavyweight, No. 9 Minnesota travels to No. 14 South Dakota State for the top Div. I dual meet of the weekend. The Gophers are 3-0, and are rolling after back-to-back shut out victories, stomping North Dakota State 39-0 and Campbell 44-0 last weekend. The Jackrabbits come into the event at 1-1 and are fresh off a tough 16-15 road loss to Big 12 rival Northern Iowa on Sunday. Steveson is the new No. 1 in the FloWrestling Pound-For-Pound rankings, one of 10 Gopher wrestlers in the current FloWrestling rankings. The Jackrabbits have nine ranked wrestlers as well. South Dakota State head coach Damion Hahn was a star for the Gophers and would love to knock off his alma mater in his gym to help the Jackrabbits climb in the rankings. This is a “Teddy Bear Toss” meet, as well, where fans throw teddy bears onto the mat at intermission to be given to children in the community.
Carolina Clash
Date: Sunday, December 1
Time: starts at 9:00 a.m. ET
Location: Finis Horne Arena, Greenwood, S.C.
Want to see some great Div. II wrestling action? Check out the 10 programs travelling to Greenwood, S.C. on Sunday to compete in the Carolina Clash, hosted by Lander. Three of the teams are ranked in the top 25 of the most recent NCAA Div. II poll, No. 6 Glenville State, No. 15 Lander and No. 18 UNC-Pembroke. Every team will have at least three matches, with some having four bouts.
No. 6 Glenville State – Coker, UNC Pembroke, Mount Olive, Newberry
No. 15 Lander – Salem, Mount Olive, Ashland, UNC Pembroke
No. 18 UNC Pembroke – Glenville State, Lincoln Memorial, Ashland, Lander
Salem – Lander, Mount Olive, Newberry, Lincoln Memorial
Mount Olive – Salem, Lander, Glenville State,
Ashland – Newberry, Coker, Lander, UNC Pembroke
Newberry – Ashland, Salem, Glenville State
Lincoln Memorial – Salem, UNC Pembroke, Coker
Coker – Glenville State, Ashland, Lincoln Memorial
FSU Women’s Bob Smith Open
Date: Sunday, December 1
Time: Starts at 11:00 a.m. ET
Location: Cunningham Hall, Hays, Kansas
Where to Watch: FloWrestling
Fort Hays State is one of the new NCAA women’s teams. The Tigers competed unattached last year, and is going through its first season of official competition with a team that has some emerging talent. Fort Hays State welcomes No. 19 Adams State, No. 21 Schreiner, No. 25 William Jewell plus Minot State, Sioux Falls and others to its Open, named for the legendary coach and leader Bob Smith. A good performance at this event might help some young wrestlers work their way into the national rankings. Many recent women's college opens have had high school stars show up for high-level action, so it will be interesting who might enter to compete against the collegians.
Mat Town Open I
Date: Sunday, December 1
Time: Starts at 9:30 a.m. ET
Location: Thomas Fieldhouse, Lock Haven, Pa.
Div. I Lock Haven opens the Thomas Fieldhouse to a number of teams on Sunday for the first of two Mat Town Opens for this season. (Mat Town Open II will be on Feb. 2, 2025, by the way). Among the Div. I teams expected to compete in this Open on Sunday are No. 11 Cornell, Navy, Binghamton, Bucknell and Bloomsburg.