BISMARCK, ND - The #15 University of Mary wrestling team returns to Bismarck, ND, to host in-state rivals Minot State University in the McDowell Activity Center on Sunday, January 21, at 2 pm for the seventh annual Battle for the Barrel.
 
UMary is 6-3 on the year and 2-1 in the Northern Sun.
 
HOW TO WATCH

• Free video streaming of Marauders home and all Northern Sun games is available at https://nsicnetwork.com/goumary and at www.GoUMary.com/coverage
• Live stats for games are available online at www.GoUMary.com/coverage

 
ALUMNI DAY
University of Mary wrestling alumni are invited to an alumni social on Sunday, January 21, when the Marauders host rival Minot State University. The social starts at 12:30 pm in the Apple Creek Room located in the lower level of the Lumen Vitae University Center. Marauders wrestling alumni will also be recognized prior to Sunday's match.
 
BATTLE OF THE BARREL POST MATCH SOCIAL SET FOR A&B PIZZA
A post dual social for Marauders wresting fans will be held at the south A&B Pizza in Bismarck (311 S 7th St.). All fans are invited.  
 
PROJECTED UMARY LINEUP
125 - Jaden Verhagen (125)
133 - #7 Reece Barnhardt (133)                                                            
141- Kaden DeCoteau (141)                                                                  
149 - Kaden Renner (149)                                                                       
157 - Braydon Huber (157)                                                                     
165 - Leo Mushinsky (165)                                                             
174 - #5 Max Bruss (174)                                                                        
184 - #9 Wyatt Lidberg (184)                                                               
197 - #8 Matthew Kaylor (197)                                                              
285 - #7 Luke Tweeton (285)      
 
LIDBERG AMONG NCAA D2 LEADERS IN TECH FALLS
Wyatt Lidberg ranks 7^th in NCAA Division II with six technical falls this season. It has taken the 184-pound junior out of Albertville, MN, just 28:44:00 to complete the six tech falls. 
 
OPPO RESEARCH
MSU is 6-5 overall and 2-2 in the NSIC. The Beavers have one nationally ranked wrestler, #6 Jake Swirple at 285 pounds. UMary defeated MSU earlier in the season 29-12. The Marauders have won their last 8 matchups against the Beavers and are 9-1 in their last ten.
 
LAST TIME OUT
UMary split two road duals last weekend. The Marauders fell to #4 Parkside 21-17 but came back to defeat Minnesota State University – Mankato 24-18.
 
Notable victories for the Marauders include #7 Reece Barnhardt (133) defeating #4 Matthew Chi by an 8-2 decision. Braydon Huber (157) knocked off #12 Ben Durocher by a 4-1 sudden victory. Leo Mushinky (165) won via a 10-9 decision over #9 Brady Schuh.
 
BATTLE FOR THE BARREL
A longstanding in-state rivalry between the University of Mary and the Minot State University wrestling programs gained additional significance with the introduction of the travelling Barrel Trophy. Introduced in 2018, the Marauders and the Beavers annual "Battle for the Barrel" takes place during the Northern Sun dual between the two teams. Just 100 miles apart and separated by Lake Sakakawea, Minot and Bismarck are in the Bakken oil formation, making an oil barrel travelling trophy a natural for the competing programs.
 
The first "Battle for the Barrel" on February 9, 2018, came down to the last match of the night. UMary's Phillip Springsteen earned a 10-8 decision over Carlos Tolendano at 165 to rally the Marauders to a 16-15 home victory. UMary retained the Barrel the next season when Ryan Stottler was victorious 6-4 in the final match of the Marauders 20-18 road win. UMary is undefeated in all six meetings for the Battle for the Barrel.
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS – TEAM
The Marauders are ranked 15th in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division II Men's Coaches' Poll released December 22. UMary was ranked 9th in the preseason poll.
 
 NATIONAL RANKINGS – INDIVIDUAL
The Marauders have five wrestlers listed in the most recent NWCA national rankings:
#5 Max Bruss (174)
#7- Reece Barnhardt (133)
#7 Luke Tweeton (285)
#8 Matt Kaylor (197)
#9 Wyatt Lidberg (184)
 
HOMETOWN MARAUDERS
The Marauders will have four Bismarck natives competing in their starting lineup, representing every Bismarck school that has a wrestling program. Reece Barnhardt (St. Mary's Central High School), Kaden Decoteau (Century High School), Kaden Renner (Bismarck High School) and Matthew Kaylor (Legacy High School) all look to represent the local community.
 
BRUSS BECOMES ALL-TIME WINS LEADER IN NCAA HISTORY
Max Bruss now holds the record for most NCAA wins in UMary history with 107 wins. Bruss surpassed his former teammate Tate Barnhardt (103 wins) for most wins in a UMary career. Bruss is currently ranked number five in the country and is coming off a year where he earned All-American status after taking 5th place in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships.
 
YOU NEED TO KNOW

• The Marauders were picked to finish 4th in the 2023-24 NSIC preseason coaches' poll
• UMary is #9 in the preseason 2023-24 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division II Coaches Poll
• The Marauders roster boasts four All-Americans: 133 Reece Barnhardt (2022, 2023), 165 Braydon Huber (2020, 2021), 174 Max Bruss (2023), 197 Matthew Kaylor (2023)
• 6 Marauders are national qualifiers: 133 Reece Barnhardt (2022, 2023), 157 Leo Mushinsky (2022), 165 Braydon Huber (2020, 2021, 2022), 174 Max Bruss (2021, 2023), 197 Matthew Kaylor (2021, 2023) and 285 Luke Tweton (2023)
• 4 returning 2023 All-NSIC performers: Reece Barnhardt (1st team), Max Bruss (1st team), Wayatt Lidberg (2nd team), Luke Tweton (2nd team)
• Head Coach Adam Aho is in his 13th season leading the UMary wrestling program
• UMary placed 13th at the 2023 NCAA championships, qualified four for the NCAA national tournament and finished 3rd in the Northern Sun, all program bests.

  #marauders#