BISMARCK, ND - The 23^rd ranked University of Mary wrestling team made school history with the Marauders biggest win since joining the NCAA and Northern Sun. Overcoming an early double-digit deficit, UMary rallied to upset 9^th ranked Upper Iowa University 21-19. It is UMary's first-ever win over traditional national power Upper Iowa.
 
In a Northern Sun dual that started at 197, the Marauders faced a 10-0 deficit after the Peacocks claimed the first three matches. Everything turned for the Marauders when Tate Barnhardt took to the mat at 133.
 
Facing the fifth-ranked wrestler in the nation at 133, Barnhardt trailed early to senior Josh Walker on a takedown in the first period. After two stanzas, Walker led 3-0. Barnhardt mounted his comeback early in the third, first escaping from Walker's grasp before taking the Peacocks grappler to the mat for a 2-point takedown and knotting the score at 3-3. Walker subsequently earned a 1-point escape to take a brief 4-3 lead. Refusing to be denied a win, Barnhardt took Walker down again in the final minute, then secured the All-American to the mat to secure a 5-4 win.
 

Tate Barnhardt got #23 @UMaryWrestling started with his win over a nationally-ranked foe. Here's his comments on today's Marauders win. pic.twitter.com/Yrwo3IJyA4

— UMary Marauders (@umarysports) December 9, 2017

The Marauders kept the momentum rolling at 141, In the final match before intermission, Hunter Eckert earned a 9-1 major decision over Aaron Baker, Jr. The UMary junior posted a pair of first-period takedowns and led 6-1 after two. Eckert finished off his win with a reversal and riding time to pull the Marauders within 10-7.
 
In the lone match between nationally-ranked individuals, #2 Rudy Guillen destroyed #9 Damian Penichat in a 19-7 major decision. Guillen used four takedowns and a nearfall to lead 10-3 after the first period. For the match Guillen rolled up eight takedowns and only allowed points on escapes. The win pushed UMary in front 11-10.


 
Stunned by the Marauders four straight wins, the Peacocks regained the lead at 16-11 on a pin by 11^th ranked Brock Benitz just 1:16 into the 157 match.
 
Immediately the Marauders responded. In a hard-fought match between UMary redshirt freshman Phillip Springsteen and Upper Iowa's Tucker Blake at 165, Springsteen gained the upper hand with a takedown in the closing seconds of the first period. Black chose bottom to start the second and Springsteen took advantage, turning and pinning the Peacocks grappler 4:39 into the match to regain the Marauders lead at 17-16.
 
Needing at least one more win to secure the match with two matches remaining, sophomore Austin Eichmann proved up to the challenge. Eichmann turned a 4-2 lead after three minutes to a 10-4 advantage after five following a takedown and a 4-point nearfall. Using a pair of takedowns and riding time in the third period, Eichman gained the Marauders four more team points and a 21-16 lead with a 15-5 major decision over Jordan Gundrum.
 
Needing a pin to win, the Peacocks Jamie Gehling only managed a 6-2 decision over UMary's Jackson Schichel at 184, setting off a celebration on the Marauders bench.
 
A big weekend for the Marauders continues Sunday, Dec. 10, when the Marauders host #19 Minnesota State in the annual Santa Claus Dual at the McDowell Activity Center. Santa is on hand starting at 1 pm for pictures with children. Also two-point takedown foam fingers will be handed out to the first 100 kids.
 

Big win today for #23 @UMaryWrestling over #9 @UIUPeacocks. How's it feel Marauders HC @adamaho1 ? pic.twitter.com/EVmBOZpSlb

— UMary Marauders (@umarysports) December 9, 2017

FINAL SCORE #23 University of Mary 21 over #9 Upper Iowa 19
Date December 9, 2017
Location Bismarck, N.D.
Arena McDowell Activity Center
Start Time 2 pm
End Time 3:55 pm
Total Time 1:55
197: Nick Baumler (UPIO) over Jacob Green (MARY) (MD 14-5)
285: Triston Westerlund (UPIO) over Dominic Tudor (MARY) (Dec 7-4)
125: Maleek Williams (UPIO) over Nate Humann (MARY) (Dec 5-3)
133: Tate Barnhardt (MARY) over Josh Walker (UPIO) (Dec 5-4)
141: Hunter Eckert (MARY) over Aaron Baker Jr (UPIO) (MD 9-1)
149: Rudy Guillen (MARY) over Damian Penichet (UPIO) (MD 19-7)
157: Brock Benitz (UPIO) over Jordan Hegel (MARY) (Fall 1:16)
165: Phillip Springsteen (MARY) over Tucker Black (UPIO) (Fall 4:39)
174: Austin Eichmann (MARY) over Jordan Gundrum (UPIO) (MD 15-5)
184: Jamie Gehling (UPIO) over Jackson Schichel (MARY) (Dec 6-2)
 
RECORDS UMary 3-0 (1-0 NSIC) Upper Iowa 1-1 (0-1 NSIC)