KEARNEY, Neb. - Taking a trip to the heart of Nebraska, the University of Mary grapplers took on four consecutive opponents today at the University of Kearney Nebraska Midwest Duals. Facing some of the top teams from around the country, the Marauders had their hands full and eventually finished 0-4 as a team, dropping duals to Chadron State College, Colorado School of Mines, the University of Central Missouri, and Lindenwood University.
 
The Marauders took on Chadron State in the morning and ultimately fell in the dual 33-9 to the Eagles. John DeVito and Travis Smith got the lone victories for the Marauder grapplers, as DeVito won by 3-2 decision over Dylan Fors at 184 pounds, and Smith, at 285 pounds, pinned Jake Weber at 2:14 into the match and won by fall.
 
Around midday, the Marauders faced Colorado School of Mines and Orediggers came away with a 31-9 victory. Hunter Menendez got the Marauders on the board early with a 6-5 victory by decision over Caleb Micho at 133 pounds. Another strong showing from John DeVito turned into his second win of the day as he defeated Benajmin Krantz at 184 pounds in another 7-2 victory by decision. Rounding out the Marauder grapplers, Jonah Westbury got the call at the 285-pound bout, and he responded with a 7-5 victory by decision over Nick DeBruyn.
 
The Marauders' strongest showing came against Central Missouri in the early afternoon, but it still turned sour for U-Mary as the Jimmies won the dual 32-18. Paul Michaelson earned his first victory of the day when he defeated Logan Cairer in the 157-pound matchup by 7-5 decision. John DeVito maintained his momentum with another victory by 8-5 decision at 184 pounds when he defeated Grant Sparks. Finally, Travis Smith earned his second victory of the day with another pin of Marshall Purtee in the 285-pound match and won by fall at 4:03.
 
The last dual of the day came against Lindenwood in the mid-afternoon and it turned into the toughest dual of the day for the U-Mary grapplers as they lost to the Lions 41-3. Kyle Schultz earned the lone victory for the Marauders in the 174-pound matchup when he defeated Batchuluun Zulkhuu by 10-7 decision. John DeVito's perfect run came to an end against John McArdle when the grappler from Lindenwood won by major decision, 18-5.
 
The Marauders will return to the mat next week on Thursday, January 22, when they travel to Mankato, Minn., to take on Minnesota State University Mankato in another Northern Sun dual.
 
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