University of Minnesota Athletics
Sunday, November 9
Fargo, ND
10:00 AM
University of Minnesota
at
Bison Open
Players Mentioned
285 lbs.
/ Wrestling
184 lbs.
/ Wrestling
157 lbs.
/ Wrestling
197 lbs.
/ Wrestling
174 lbs.
/ Wrestling
149 lbs.
/ Wrestling
165 lbs.
/ Wrestling
125 lbs.
/ Wrestling
141 lbs.
/ Wrestling
174 lbs.
/ Wrestling
Photo by: Joseph Cress/Think Iowa City
Gophers Venturing North for Bison Open
11/8/2025 10:00:00 AM | Wrestling
MINNEAPOLIS -- No. 10/10 Minnesota is back on the road this weekend as it heads to Fargo, N.D., for the 54th annual Bison Open. Competition starts Sunday at 10 a.m. with live results available on TrackWrestling.
The Golden Gophers are expected to send 22 wrestlers to the event, facing competition from host-North Dakota State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota State and other regional 4-year and 2-year programs.
Last year at the event, Minnesota saw Charlie Millard and Gavin Nelson both won titles at their weight classes. Making his collegiate debut, Millard posted a 3-1 record to win at 157 pounds. He opened with a pair of victories by pin. Following a one-point defeat, Millard responded with a tech fall win to close out his first tournament. Nelson went 2-0 in the early rounds at 197 pounds, outscoring his opponents 23-3, behind a tech fall and 5-0 shutout. Moving to the finals, Nelson posted a 16-3 major decision over South Dakota State's Cody Donnelly.
IN THE RANKINGS
The Golden Gophers are expected to send 22 wrestlers to the event, facing competition from host-North Dakota State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota State and other regional 4-year and 2-year programs.
Last year at the event, Minnesota saw Charlie Millard and Gavin Nelson both won titles at their weight classes. Making his collegiate debut, Millard posted a 3-1 record to win at 157 pounds. He opened with a pair of victories by pin. Following a one-point defeat, Millard responded with a tech fall win to close out his first tournament. Nelson went 2-0 in the early rounds at 197 pounds, outscoring his opponents 23-3, behind a tech fall and 5-0 shutout. Moving to the finals, Nelson posted a 16-3 major decision over South Dakota State's Cody Donnelly.
IN THE RANKINGS
The Golden Gophers enter the weekend ranked 10th in both Intermat's dual team and tournament rankings, and ranked ninth in the NWCA Coaches Poll.
Seven Gopher wrestlers are ranked in at least two of the major polls with six appearing in all three: Intermat, Flo and OpenMat. All-American Max McEnelly is the top-ranked wrestler at 184 pounds in all three polls, while fellow All-American Vance VomBaur (141) and Wyoming transfer Jore Volk (125) appear in the top-8 of each publication. VomBaur peaks at No. 5 in Flo's rankings, while Volk's top mark comes from OpenMat at No. 7.
Sixth-year senior Andrew Sparks (165) is 12th or better in all three polls with InterMat giving him his highest rank at No. 9, while Millard (157) is top-20 in all three, highlighted by a No. 16 ranking from InterMat. In addition, heavyweight Koy Hopke made his debut in the rankings this week with a consensus top-15 showing, including No. 14 from OpenMat.
Nelson (197) is ranked by both InterMat (17) and Flo (23), while redshirt senior Drew Roberts (149) is 29th in Flo's rankings. At 174, redshirt junior Clayton Whiting is 21st in InterMat's rankings, while redshirt sophomore Ethan Riddle is 23rd, according to Flo. A complete list of rankings can be found on Page 5 of the notes.
Seven Gopher wrestlers are ranked in at least two of the major polls with six appearing in all three: Intermat, Flo and OpenMat. All-American Max McEnelly is the top-ranked wrestler at 184 pounds in all three polls, while fellow All-American Vance VomBaur (141) and Wyoming transfer Jore Volk (125) appear in the top-8 of each publication. VomBaur peaks at No. 5 in Flo's rankings, while Volk's top mark comes from OpenMat at No. 7.
Sixth-year senior Andrew Sparks (165) is 12th or better in all three polls with InterMat giving him his highest rank at No. 9, while Millard (157) is top-20 in all three, highlighted by a No. 16 ranking from InterMat. In addition, heavyweight Koy Hopke made his debut in the rankings this week with a consensus top-15 showing, including No. 14 from OpenMat.
Nelson (197) is ranked by both InterMat (17) and Flo (23), while redshirt senior Drew Roberts (149) is 29th in Flo's rankings. At 174, redshirt junior Clayton Whiting is 21st in InterMat's rankings, while redshirt sophomore Ethan Riddle is 23rd, according to Flo. A complete list of rankings can be found on Page 5 of the notes.
Coach's Corner with Brandon Eggum
Sunday, November 23
Highlights: Gophers 25, Virginia Tech 10
Sunday, November 16
Highlights: Gophers 15, Missouri 14
Sunday, November 16
Highlights: Gophers 19, Virginia Tech 17
Saturday, November 15