BISMARCK, ND – Facing perhaps their tallest task of the season, the 22
nd-ranked University of Mary wrestling team will face three nationally ranked opponents and a fourth that is receiving votes at the Midwest Duals in Kearney, NE, on January 13.
Led by the nationally-ranked
Rudy Guillen and
Tate Barnhardt, along with one of the nation's leaders in falls in
Phillip Springsteen, the Marauders will face #13 Central Oklahoma, #RV Central Missouri, #23 Lindenwood and #17 Western State – Colorado starting at 9 am.
Hosted by the University of Nebraska-Kearney, the sixth annual Midwest Duals features 30 colleges (NCAA Division II, NAIA and JUCO), 25 high schools and around a dozen youth club teams from Nebraska and surrounding states will compete on 18 mats in Cushing and the H & S Center.
Ranked 22
nd in the country, the Marauders improved one slot in the first poll of the season after defeating nationally-ranked Upper Iowa and performing successfully at the Midwest Classic before Christmas.
In national statistics released this week, Springsteen ranked tenth in the country in falls with five in a total time of 12:11 (only pins against NCAA Division II competition are included). The redshirt freshman is 14-5 on the season. A native of Graham, WA, Springsteen placed seventh at 165 in the Midwest Classic, posting a record of 4-2. His three pins earned him the Most Falls award.
With a record of 13-1 this season, Guillen is ranked 4th nationally at 149. He was ranked seventh prior to the Midwest Classic before his 13-match win streak was snapped. The redshirt sophomore from Duluth, GA, has one pin, three major decisions and three technical falls this year.
Barnhardt cracked the national rankings at 133 after finding success against some of the top competition in the country. Earning Northern Sun Wrestler of the Week honors after defeating All-American and 5th ranked Josh Walker of Upper Iowa, Barnhardt went 3-2 against ranked opposition at the Midwest Classic. The Bismarck, ND, native is 16-4 this season with four pins.
The Marauders return home to host #1 St. Cloud State University on Saturday, January 20.
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