BISMARCK, N.D. - Rudy Guillen powered his way to a tough 9-2 decision, and Travis Smith earned the pin at 4:28, but the University of Mary Wrestling team couldn't not capture the momentum as they fell in the NSIC opener to Upper Iowa University.
 
The Marauders (2-5, 0-1 NSIC) had a decent showing from Tate Barnhardt at 133 pounds, but the Peacocks (3-0, 1-0 NSIC), who are receiving votes in the top 20 team rankings, proved too much as they handed U-Mary a loss at 35-9.
 
Guillen took on Jordan Roths at the 141-pound bout after returning as he returned to the mat after missing the Battle for the Barrel against Minot State University earlier in the week. Guillen fell right back into form, though, as he scored the only points through two periods with a pair of takedowns and a 4-0 lead heading into the final frame.
 
Rudy managed to take Roths down twice more in the period as he was looking for a major decision with riding time locked up, but the Peacock showed some resiliency in preventing the third takedown of the frame as Guillen had to settle for the 9-2 decision.
 
Smith rounded out U-Mary's efforts at the 285-pound matchup as he took on Maurice Wilburn III, and Travis made short work of his opponent early in the first period as the Marauder scored a blazingly fast takedown into an immediate four-point nearfall and was looking for the pin.
 
Wilburn III demonstrated his toughness in avoiding the pin as Smith could not complete the cradle, but that wasn't the case in the second period as Wilburn chose bottom and Smith scored another four-point nearfall before finally getting the pin at the 4:28 mark into the match.
 
Barnhardt took on Mitch Funk at 133 pounds and Funk scored the fast takedown in the first frame before Tate could pull off the escape to hold a 2-1 lead going into period two. Barnhardt had the advantage at the start of the second as Funk chose bottom, but the Peacock squirmed away almost immediately and turned the tables on the Marauder with another takedown before Barnhardt notched the escape to close out the period down 5-2.
 
Barnhardt pulled off the quick escape after choosing bottom to start the third and shifted the momentum in his favor after scoring another takedown to even the bout at 5-5. Barnhardt, in an effort to pull off the win, cut his opponent loose in order to get another takedown, but was granted a penalty point after Funk was cited for pulling on his faceguard, tying the score once again at 6-6. Yet Barnhardt needed one more takedown to complete the comeback as Funk held the riding time advantage, but his efforts were in vain as Funk held on for the narrow 7-6 decision.
 
The remainder of the matchups turned south for U-Mary as the Peacocks recorded four major decision at the 157, 165, 174, and 184 pound bouts, to go with two technical falls at 149 and 197 pounds, coupled with a pin at 125 pounds for the 35-9 team victory.
 
The Marauders will take on Minnesota State University next Thursday, December 17, for the Annual Santa Claus Dual, starting at 7:00 PM, in the McDowell Activity Center.
 
Full Results:
 
125: Garrett Wangsness (UPIO) over Josh Jensen (MARY) (Fall 3:38)
133: Mitch Funk (UPIO) over Tate Barnhardt (MARY) (Dec 7-6)
141: Rudy Guillen (MARY) over Jordan Roths (UPIO) (Dec 9-2)
149: Damian Penichet (UPIO) over Reed Cronin (MARY) (TF 18-2 6:35)
157: Jordan Rinken (UPIO) over Dane Fischer (MARY) (MD 17-5)
165: Zak Benitz (UPIO) over Paul Michaelson (MARY) (MD 11-2)
174: Colbey Vance (UPIO) over Riley Nagel (MARY) (MD 8-0)
184: Dalton Westerlund (UPIO) over Jonathan Pelach (MARY) (MD 12-1)
197: Ryan Parmely (UPIO) over Jacob Green (MARY) (TF 19-1 3:39)
285: Travis Smith (MARY) over Maurice Wilburn (UPIO) (Fall 4:28)
 
Full results, including play-by-play, can be found here.
 
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