BISMARCK, ND – Nationally-ranked Tate Barnhardt and Phillip Springsteen both earned big wins for the University of Mary wrestling team but the Marauders were unable to overcome the depth of the nation's top-ranked team in a 32-6 loss to visiting St. Cloud State University.
 
Despite being the favorite in just one match of the day as the Huskies lineup featured nine nationally-ranked foes, the Marauders gave up bonus points in just four times, including one forfeit due to injury.
 
Ranked ninth in the country, Barnhardt patiently earned a 6-2 decision over Adam Hedin at 133. The junior from Bismarck, ND, took an early lead with a takedown and led 2-1 after the first. Hedin chose the bottom position to start the second and escaped to knot the match 2-2 but Barnhardt regained his lead with takedown in the second. Starting the third period on the bottom, Barnhardt reversed Hedin and maintained control the rest of the match. The win improves Barnhardt's record this season to 20-5.
 
One of the hottest wrestlers in the country after winning all four matches last weekend at the Midwest Duals and placing seventh at the Midwest Classic before Christmas, Springsteen jumped to 11^th in the country and ranks fifth in pins. Facing off against Travis Holt, ranked sixth at 165 and holding a win over the Graham, WA, native earlier in the season, Springsteen claimed an early lead with a takedown. He added a second takedown in the second to lead 4-0 entering the final period. With Springsteen starting on top, Holt managed to reverse positions to cut the deficit in half. Springsteen thwarted all other attacks by Holt and added a point for riding time to claim a 5-2 decision. The redshirt sophomore is now 19-5 this season.
 


SCSU rolled out the nation's top-ranked wrestlers at 149 and 157 and both matches proved to be among the best of the day. Reed Cronin for the Marauders trailed 1-0 after two periods to James Pleski. Ranked first at 149, Pleski increased his lead to 3-0 with a takedown in the third before Cronin earned one point on an escape. Unable to get Plenski off his feet, Cronin lost 4-1 after riding time.
 
The 157 match featured the UMary debut of Jared Reis, a Napoleon, ND, native who wrestled for NCAA Division I Oregon State University. After graduating from OSU and using just three years of eligibility, Reis began his Marauders career by facing SCSU's undefeated Larry Bomstad. Taking the fight immediately to Bomstad, Reis grabbed the lead on a takedown. Bomstad soon regained his footing and led 3-2 after the first period. The Huskies senior added an escape in the second and a point of riding time to claim a hard-fought 5-2 win over Reis.
 
At 174, Austin Eichmann suffered a narrow 3-2 loss to Devin Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick opened with a first period takedown but Eichmann followed with an escape. Another escape by Eichmann in the second evened the match through two. Fitzpatrick, starting the third in the down position, managed to escape and earn the winning point.
 
The Marauders, who are receiving votes in the national poll, begins a three-match road trip at MSU Moorhead on January 28 before visiting Southwest Minnesota State and Augustana on February 2-3. UMary is next home on February 9 when Minot State University visits.
 
FINAL SCORE #1 St. Cloud State University 32 #RV University of Mary 6
January 20, 2018
Bismarck, N.D.
McDowell Activity Center
 
Start Time 2:05 pm
End Time 3:55 pm
Total Time 1:50
                                    
125: #5 Brett Velasquez (SCS) over Nate Humann (MARY) (Dec 8-2)
133: #9 Tate Barnhardt (MARY) over Adam Hedin (SCS) (Dec 6-2)
141: #3 Jarred Oftedahl (SCS) over Hunter Eckert (MARY) (MD 11-0)
149: #1 James Pleski (SCS) over Reed Cronin (MARY) (Dec 4-1)
157: #1 Larry Bomstad (SCS) over Jared Reis (MARY) (Dec 5-2)
165: #11 Phillip Springsteen (MARY) over #6 Travis Holt (SCS) (Dec 5-2)
174: Devin Fitzpatrick (SCS) over Austin Eichmann (MARY) (Dec 3-2)
184: #8 Brady Nelson (SCS) over Jackson Schichel (MARY) (MD 10-1)
197: #6 Vince Dietz (SCS) over (MARY) (M. For.)
285: #10 Lawrence Phillips (SCS) over Dominic Tudor (MARY) (Fall 4:33)
RECORDS UMary 4-5 (1-2 NSIC) SCSU 13-0 (2-0 NSIC)
 
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