WICHITA, Kan. - The Marian wrestling team finished their time at the NAIA National Championship on Saturday, as Anthony Hughes closed out his run on the mat with a fourth-place finish in the 125 pound weight class. Hughes finished as an NAIA All-American, the program's first All-American since the 2022-23 season.

Entering Saturday with a 4-1 record, Hughes opened his day wrestling against his rival Allen Calderon of Indiana Tech, with a win advancing either wrestler to the third place match. Hughes scored first in the match, picking up an escape and takedown in the second period to grab a 4-0 lead. Calderon would respond with the same escaped and takdown strategy in the third period, riding out the final 49 seconds to force overtime. In the extra period, Hughes wasted little time going at Calderon, scoring a takedown in 18 seconds to end the bout and claim a 7-4 sudden victory. 

Hughes win moved him to the third place match, where he wrestled against No. 11 seed Brody Gee of Saint Mary. Neither wrestler scored in the first period, but in the second Gee took the lead as he scored a quick escape off the whistle. Gee led 1-0 entering the third period, and after starting in a neutral stance, Hughes landed a quick takedown. Gee would escape to make it a 3-2 score, but Hughes responded with a takedown to go back on top 6-2 score. With 26 seconds remaining, Gee made the match-clinching move, scoring a reversal and pinning Hughes, as the 6:34 win by fall gave Gee third place, with the defeat giving Hughes a fourth-place All-American finish.

Hughes' finished the NAIA Championships with a 5-2 overall record over the three days, earning Marian's first All-American honor in two seasons.

As a team, Marian finished 25th overall at the NAIA Championship, scoring 18 team points. Hughes scored 15.5 points in the championship, while Elliott Rodgers scored 2.5 team points. 

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