197:

Depth Chart

Minot High product Je-Mario Jones returns to his slot at 197 pounds after finishing 6-18 in the same role last season.  Jones showed some nice flashes as a freshman, and should continue to develop after a fantastic offseason committed ot the Beaver program.

Fans need to pay special attention to true freshman West Virginian Dustin Swisher.  Beaver Head Coach Evan Forde made the pilgrimage to Virginia Beach for NHSCA Senior Nationals with the 197 pound weight class in mind, and he may have found a gem in Swisher.  Swisher was a two-time West Virginia state champion and finished his senior campaign undefeated.  He fell in the blood round in Virginia Beach.  Jones and Swisher are likely to meet up in the Beaver intra-squad match this Saturday.

285:

Depth Chart

The Heavyweight class has been Minot State’s greatest asset since Evan Forde took hold of the program, and that will continue with returning Super Region V champion Jordan Will back for his sophomore season.  As was the case for the last to years, Forde will have to wait for the football season to finish before adding his strongest asset to the roster.  Last year, Will’s first matches came at the Dragon Open in December.  Will was fantastic after shaking the rust off.  The Minot Bishop Ryan standout was 14-2 from December 5 through the Super Regional.  Though Will did not shine at the NCAA tournament, I expect last year’s experience will lead him to surpass last year’s trajectory and finish at or near the podium in March.