INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian wrestling team competed in their home opening dual on Sunday afternoon, but were unsuccessful in their first opportunity on home turf as they were defeated by Indiana Tech 31-9. Marian is now 5-7 overall on the season in dual matches.
Indiana Tech earned the first win of the day in the home opener, as
Logan Richardson was unsuccessful at 125, falling against #15 Allen Calderon by tech fall in a 15-0 bout. The Knights rebounded with their next match, as #19
Anthony Hughes scored a comeback win by decision. Trailing after the second period, Hughes rebounded against Steve Garty, posting a 13-10 win by decision to score the first team points. Second-ranked
Logan Wagner responded with a dominant win at 141 to put Marian in the lead through three matches, winning by fall in 2:53 over Conner Kimbrough.
Leading 9-5 after the first three weight classes of the day, Indiana Tech came back and put Marian in the trail position on the scoreboard, winning both 149 and 157.
Aundre Beatty saw a lead evaporate late in a 5-4 loss by decision at 149, and at 157 Jeff Nixon was bested 15-0, taking a tech fall loss to No. 7 Nate Wheeler.
Elliott Rodgers got the crowd energized as Marian aimed to get back in the match, giving it his all at 165 against No. 3 Jonathan Kervin. Rodgers would fall late despite scoring the first points, as Kervin added to his point total in the final minute to win 12-5.
Marian trailed 16-9 after the result at 165, and would continue to trail after the following pair of matches, as Indiana Tech won at both 174 and 184.
Noah Hollendonner took Landon Buchanan to extra time with a level score of 1-1, but would suffer a sudden-defeat after getting taken down in extra time, losing 4-1 at 174.
Liam Begley trailed for the majority of his match at 184 against Leo Galasso, but found a way to tie the match late. Begley, who was against riding time, would surrender a point in the final seconds, and had another point go against him for riding time, as Galasso earned the 12-10 decision.
Marian would lose their final two matches as well, as Indiana Tech backed their 11th overall ranking by taking 197 and 285. Fourth-ranked Nathan Critchfield defeated the Knights'
Justice Cash 18-2 by tech fall at 197, and
Excell Brooks lost in an 8-0 major decision at 285 against 14th ranked Braydon Erb to close the match.
Marian will look to rebound on Friday night, as they host Siena Heights in their final home dual of the season. Friday will also be senior night, with senior night ceremonies beginning at 6:00 p.m.
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