Tyler Lashbrook	Harrison Johnson

Morningside moved one victory closer to a fourth consecutive GPAC wrestling championship when the 12th-ranked Mustangs routed No. 17 Dakota Wesleyan 31-3 on Thursday in Mitchell, S.D.

The Mustangs raised their GPAC record to 5-0 with league dates against Briar Cliff and Midland left on the schedule. A victory in either dual would assure the Mustangs of at least a share of the 2014 league title.  Morningside currently holds a one-half game advantage over 5-1 Concordia in the league standings. The Mustangs trounced Concordia 34-6 when the teams met earlier this season on Jan. 16 in Seward, Neb.

Morningside was the victor in nine of the 10 weight divisions against Dakota Wesleyan to extend its winning streak to 28 consecutive duals against GPAC opponents since a 23-15 loss against Dana during the 2008-09 campaign.

After the teams traded decisions in the first two matches, the Mustangs took the lead for good when Kevin Olson won a 12-1 major decision at 141 lbs. The Mustangs also won the next three bouts by major decision with wins from Tyler Lashbrook at 149 lbs. (10-2), Jordan Langley at 157 lbs. (14-1), and Harrison Johnson at 165 lbs. (12-2).

Aside from its four major decision winners, the Mustangs had decisions from Brent Curtis at 125 lbs., Trew Bushhousen at 174 lb.; Rulin Pederson at 184 lbs.; Jared McCoy at 197 lbs., and Tyler Kacmarynski at heaveweight.

Morningside will host Briar Cliff in a GPAC dual on Saturday at 5 p.m.

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