The MUS varsity wrestling team advanced to next Saturday's state wrestling dual meet with a third-place finish at last weekend's region duals, held at St. George's.
The team battled through the consolation bracket of the meet to claim the bid, their seventh-consecutive state berth.
The Owls first took on St. Benedict in the semifinals. Despite wins from Mason Gudelsky (112 lbs), Miles DeBardeleben (171 lbs), Zach Gordon (189 lbs), and Ben Stallworth (215 lbs), MUS fell to the Eagles, 47-21, and moved to the consolation bracket.
In the consolation semifinals, MUS handled the host school, St. George's, in a hard-fought battle, 45-34, to give itself a chance at the state berth. Their consolation finals opponent would be rival Briarcrest, whom the Owls earlier defeated in a very close match, 42-39.
But the rematch would not be as close this time. MUS got key wins from Andrew Maroda (135) and Paul Kennedy (152) to defeat the Saints, 44-27. With the win, the Owls advance to the state duals, to be held this Saturday at Clarksville High School.
Four Owl wrestlers went undefeated at region: DeBardeleben (171), Gordon (189 and 215), Nathaniel Kastan (189), and Stallworth (215). These four led MUS to the third-place showing.
Congratulations to Coach Gehres and the team on the state berth, and good luck to the next week in Clarksville.