BISMARCK, ND- The University of Mary wrestling team returned to the mat after the season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Opening the season against the nation's top-ranked team and defending national champion, the Marauders dropped their season opener against St. Cloud State University 31-3. Every match but one went the distance as UMary battled hard against the reigning national champions.

Max Bruss earned the lone win of the night for the Marauders. The sophomore pulled off an incredible victory over #9 Devin Donovan by a 1-0 decision in the 174 pound match. Bruss scored his only point by using an escape in the third period.

"For our first match of the year, I'm happy for where we are with conditioning and how hard we fought on the mat," said Marauders head coach Adam Aho. "This was the first time I can remember us facing a Huskies team and allowing just three or fewer bonus point matches. We did the right things and now just need to add to our technical skills."

Anthony Velazquez (157) kicked things off for the Marauders against Jared Head. Head picked up the victory with an 11-4 decision win.  

In the battle of ranked opponents, #5 Braydon Huber (165) fell to #1 Devin Fitzpatrick by a 6-3 decision.

Grant Litke (184) lost his match to Billy Pitzner by a 7-1 decision.

Matt Kaylor (197) trailed #4 Noah Ryan 4-2 after the first period. Ryan would go on to win a tight contest by a 6-3 decision. This is Kaylor's first varsity match for the University of Mary.

Emmitt Brooks (285) lost to #1 Kameron Teacher by a 14-3 major decision.

Jeremy Leintz (125) was defeated in his match against Paxton Creese by a 19-2 technical fall.

Laken Boese (133) trailed Sam Spencer 4-2 after the first two periods. Spencer would go on to pull off the victory by a 5-2 decision.

Logan Mahoney (141) lost to #4 Joey Bianchini by a 12-5 decision.

In the final match of the night, Trevor Fauver (149) fell to Garret Aldrich by a 12-4 major decision.

"I think it was a compliment to us as a team that SCSU didn't choose the down position as much as they could have," said Aho. "We're building a reputation for being tough on the mat. We're getting closer to where we want to be as a team. We competed hard and had a tremendous effort and learned what we need to improve on overall."

The Marauders will be back in action on January 14 against Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minn., at 7 pm.

157: Jared Head (SCSU) over Anthony Velazquez (MARY) (Dec 11-4)

165: Devin Fitzpatrick (SCSU) over Braydon Huber (MARY) (Dec 6-3)

174: Max Bruss (MARY) over Devin Donovan (SCSU) (Dec 1-0)

184: Billy Pitzner (SCSU) over Grant Litke (MARY) (Dec 7-1)

197: Noah Ryan (SCSU) over Matt Kaylor (MARY) (Dec 6-3)

285: Kameron Teacher (SCSU) over Emmitt Brooks (MARY) (MD 14-3)

125: Paxton Creese (SCSU) over Jeremy Leintz (MARY) (TF 19-2 5:18)

133: Sam Spencer (SCSU) over Laken Boese (MARY) (Dec 5-2) 

141: Joey Bianchini (SCSU) over Logan Mahoney (MARY) (Dec 12-5) 

149: Garrett Aldrich (SCSU) over Trevor Fauver (MARY) (MD 12-4)

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