Aberdeen, S.D. – The No. 23 Northern State wrestling team (9-8, 2-6 NSIC) fell to the the (RV) University of Mary Marauders (6-7, 4-4 NSIC) by a score of 16-20 in their final regular season dual.
At 125, Jeremy Leintz managed to outmuscle
Landen Fischer in an 8-2 decision for the Marauders' first points of the night. The Wolves bounced back however, with
Dayne Morton coming away with a convincing 14-5 major decision over Laken Boese at 133.
Kenny Jones followed up by making it two wins in a row with a 7-1 decision over Trevor Fauver at 141. Tasked with building on the momentum was
Adam DeBoer at 149, but he was unable to avoid a shutout as Devin Steidler walked away with a 12-0 major decision for UMary, knotting up the score at 7-7.
No. 5
James Burks did his best to make a comeback after falling into a tough 9-4 hole with around a minute left in round three. However, he was unable to avoid a 14-8 decision defeat to No. 12 Brandon Huber at 157, bringing the dual score to 7-10 and placing the momentum firmly in the Marauders' hands at the intermission.
Billy Holton wasted no time turning things around, coming out of the break with an exciting 3-1 decision over Payton Hume at 165. The back and forth continued however, as No. 7 Phillip Springsteen took a 12-2 major decision over
Tanner Wiese at 174.
No. 11
Marcus Placide was up next versus Austin Eichmann, and Placide delivered the definitive turn around that Northern needed. After a tough beginning to the match, Placide quickly turned Eichmann on his back for a victory by fall, giving the Wolves their first lead of the night.
However, the back and forth brawl still continued as
Riley Lura suffered a slim 0-1 decision defeat to Gerardo Jaime at 197, giving the Marauders a narrow 1-point lead. In the final match of the night
Caleb Lefferdink was unable to overcome Dominic Tudor, as he walked away with a 5-0 decision win and the dual victory for UMary.
The Wolves tallied one major decision, two decisions and one victory by fall, while giving up two major decisions and four decisions the Marauders. This was Northern's final regular season dual before the NCAA Super Regional.
The NCAA Super Regional will be hosted by Augustana University on Saturday, February 29. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. from the Sioux Falls Arena.
