This week’s NDPF Male Athlete of the Week is Reece Barnhardt. Barnhardt played a big role in the no. 11 ranked UMary Wrestling team’s historic third-place finish at the NWCA National Duals in Louisville, KY. Barnhardt was the lone Marauder to finish the weekend a perfect 4-0. His weekend began with a quick pinfall victory over Jeremiah McKee in the Ashland dual. Barnhardt then persevered with a 3-1 victory over the no. 11 ranked Joseph Airola of no. 2 ranked Nebraska-Kearney. UMary defeated the defending national champion Lopers 21-12 in Friday’s second dual, marking the biggest dual win in the Marauders NCAA era. Barnhardt started Saturday off with an 8-3 decision victory over Sam Spencer from the eventual dual champions, St. Cloud State University. Barnhardt capped off the weekend with a 12-0 major decision over Matt Englehardt from West Liberty. UMary dominated no. 4 ranked West Liberty 37-3 to finish third at the NWCA National Duals. Barnhardt, a sophomore from Bismarck, ND, is currently the no. 4 ranked 133-pounder in the NWCA rankings.
