'Building blocks matter' for No. 25 Mustangs

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — There's been one main focus for the Morningside men's wrestling team this preseason: the little building blocks matter.

Ranked No. 25 nationally, the Mustangs open their season Saturday in Park City, Kansas. Head coach Rulin Pederson has emphasized that the path to the national stage begins with mastering the details — from technique to positioning and everything in between.

"We're breaking things down more efficiently," Pederson said. "We're looking at the season as a complete five months to improve, not needing to accomplish everything in the first part of the year. We started doing that in the second half of last year, and it paid a bunch of dividends. I think this year is going to be a lot of fun."

Those dividends showed up late last season with dual wins over Briar Cliff, Hastings, and Midland. The Mustangs then carried that momentum into the GPAC Tournament, finishing second with 153.5 points.

Much of that success returns this season, with several key contributors back in the lineup.

Five Mustangs appear in the national rankings to start the year, led by Zander Ernst, who enters at No. 5 at 165 pounds. Carson Turnis also holds a spot at that weight, ranked 24th. Ernst redshirted last season, while Turnis moves down from 174 to 165 — a shift Pederson said better fits his competitive strengths.

Caden Eggleston, a 2025 national qualifier, opens the year at No. 12 at 149 pounds, while Hunter Steffans is ranked 24th at 141. Braedyn Rakes rounds out the group at No. 25 in the 174-pound class.

"They can all step out there and compete," Pederson said. "They've stayed the course since they were freshmen, and that means we're doing the right things. We have a lot of solid guys. Having talented guys who continue to push themselves is huge. It's good to have training partners who are very good."

Morningside also begins the season ranked second in the GPAC preseason poll.

The Mustangs will host the first half of the GPAC Duals on Nov. 25 inside the Hindman-Hobbs Center and return home again in January for duals against Northwestern and Briar Cliff.