BISMARCK, N.D. - A strong start to the second annual Santa Claus Dual faded fast as the University of Mary Wrestling team took on Minnesota State University tonight for the second dual of the Northern Sun schedule.
 
Josh Jensen and Tate Barnhardt provided the early spark for the Marauders (2-6, 0-2 NSIC) but four technical falls and one fall for the Mavericks (1-0, 1-0 NSIC) proved too much to overcome as U-Mary dropped their fourth dual in a row.
 
Jensen gave up a quick takedown to Trevor Schultz in the opening bout, but easily regained the momentum as he escaped the position and scored two takedowns of his own for a slim lead at 5-3 heading into the second period.
 
Jensen chose bottom in the frame and scampered away from Schultz in the opening seconds before he followed up with another takedown and rode the Maverick out through the remainder of the stage for a commanding 8-3 lead heading into the third. Neither grappler scored a point in the final period and Jensen put the Marauders up early in the dual with a 9-3 decision and a 3-0 team lead.
 
Barnhardt followed that performance up with a strong showing against Paul Selman as the Marauder scored a quick takedown in the opening frame followed by an escape from the Maverick. Yet Tate kept the momentum going with a four-point nearfall in the second period after Selman chose bottom, coupled with a penalty point awarded for stalling to hold a 7-2 lead going into the final stage.
 
Barnhardt chose bottom in the third and scored the reversal followed up with a two-point nearfall to keep U-Mary on top with an 11-2 major decision, putting the team score at 7-0.
 
Unfortunately, the Mavericks rattled off seven straight wins starting with Alphonso Vruno's 13-4 major decision over Rudy Guillen at 141 pounds, followed by Dylan Herman's pin at 1:10 of Reed Cronin, Matt Mincey's 16-0 technical fall at 3:06 over Dane Fischer, Corey Abernathy's 5-0 decision over Paul Michaelson, capped off with three straight technical falls with Adam Cooling (25-10, 6:50) over Riley Nagel, Scott VanDeLoo (18-0, 3:40) over Jonathan Pelach, and Darick Vancura (22-6, 5:39) over Jacob Green.
 
Travis Smith's bout with Malcolm Allen at the heavyweight class proved to be the closest of the night as Allen score the first points of the bout with a takedown in first frame. Smith countered with a quick escape paired with a takedown of his own, but Allen squirmed out of the hold for his own escape and a 3-3 tie heading into the second period.
 
Smith took bottom with his choice and seized the lead as he earned the fast escape and tallied a last-second takedown for a decisive 6-3 advantage going into period three. Allen chose bottom the start the third and found a fast escape to go with a takedown, but couldn't gain the riding time point in the stage and Smith took advantage with an easy escape for a 7-6 lead with less than a minute on the clock.
 
Allen had one final opportunity to record a takedown but Smith easily stuffed the attempt to end the dual on a high note for U-Mary with a 7-6 decision, making the team score 33-10 final in favor of the Mavericks.
 
The Marauders have a long break ahead as they return to the mat next year for another Northern Sun dual against Minot State University on Thurday, January 7, starting at 7:00 PM in the McDowell Activity Center.
 
FINAL RESULTS:
125: Josh Jensen (MARY) over Trevor Schultz (MSM) (Dec 9-3)
133: Tate Barnhardt (MARY) over Paul Selman (MSM) (MD 11-2)
141: Alphonso Vruno (MSM) over Rudy Guillen (MARY) (MD 13-4)
149: Dylan Herman (MSM) over Reed Cronin (MARY) (Fall 1:10)
157: Matt Mincey (MSM) over Dane Fischer (MARY) (TF 16-0 3:06)
165: Corey Abernathy (MSM) over Paul Michaelson (MARY) (Dec 5-0)
174: Adam Cooling (MSM) over Riley Nagel (MARY) (TF 25-10 6:50)
184: Scott VanDeLoo (MSM) over Jonathan Pelach (MARY) (TF 18-0 3:40)
197: Darick Vancura (MSM) over Jacob Green (MARY) (TF 22-6 5:39)
285: Travis Smith (MARY) over Malcolm Allen (MSM) (Dec 7-6)
 
Minnesota State: 33
University of Mary: 10