BISMARCK, ND - The NWCA released their third Division II coaches regular season poll Friday morning. The University of Mary Marauders currently rank 14th in the nation with a combined 29 points and two individual wrestlers currently ranked in their weight classes. The rankings are based on a team's tournament strength, not a team's dual strength.

Max Bruss rises this week as the #2 ranked wrestler in the 174-pound weight class. Bruss has been a standout wrestler for the Marauders this season. The junior from De Pere, Wis. has a season record of 20-3. Just over a month ago, Bruss won his bracket at the 43rd Midwest Classic in Indianapolis, Ind., the largest NCAA Division II meet of the season. Bruss was also a national qualifier in 2021. 

Reece Barnhardt also moves up one spot as the #3 ranked wrestler at 133 pounds. Barnhardt is following his phenomenal freshman season in a continued impressive stride. The sophomore from Bismarck, ND is 20-4 on the season. Barnhardt earned a runner-up finish at 133 pounds at the 43rd Midwest Classic in Indianapolis, Ind. Barnhardt made history in 2022 finishing 4th at the NCAA DII National Championships as a true freshman. It is the highest national championships finish for a Marauder in the program's NCAA-era history. 

Central Oklahoma remains at the top of the team rankings this week, followed by Lander University at #2, Nebraska-Kearney at #3, and West Liberty at #4. 

St. Cloud State is the highest-ranked NSIC team, rounding out the national top five rankings. The Huskies are followed by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside at #7, Upper Iowa at #10, and Augustana and UMary tied at #14 with 29 team points each. Southwest Minnesota State comes in at #22, and Minnesota State University and Minot State are receiving votes. 

The Marauders are set to defend the Battle for the Barrel traveling trophy against Minot State this Sunday, January 22 at 2 pm from the MSU Dome.

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