STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The No. 8-ranked Maryville wrestling team opened its season with a strong showing at the Pointer Open hosted by UW-Stevens Point. No. 4-ranked Ryan Herman led the Saints, capturing the title at 285 pounds, while seven other wrestlers placed. Two Saints—No. 4 Cole Ritter (165 pounds) and Evan Morris (174 pounds)—finished second in their respective weight classes.

In addition to the top-three finishes, Sam Shafer placed third at 125 pounds, and No. 4 Evan Binder rebounded from a tough match at Parkside to finish fifth at 133 pounds. Kody Ketchum earned sixth place at 141 pounds, while Orest Nazarchuk and Oliver Cooley rounded out the podium finishes for the Saints by taking fourth and sixth, respectively, at 285 pounds in the Wisconsin-based tournament.

ON THE MAT
For champion Herman, the path to victory included a 2-0 decision in the second round, a 6-1 win in the quarterfinals, and a 4-1 decision to advance to the finals, where he faced Brooks Empey of DI Wisconsin. In the third period, Herman secured the win with a late escape and takedown to claim the title.

Ritter's performance at 165 pounds was highlighted by two tech falls in his first matches, followed by a pin in the quarterfinals. He ultimately fell in the championship match, 11-2. Morris at 174 pounds followed a similar path with two pins and a major decision on his way to the finals, where he was defeated by fall.

Shafer rebounded from a 4-2 semifinal loss to pin his opponent in the consolation bracket and earn a hard-fought 7-6 decision in the third-place match. Binder, coming off a tough bout against No. 5 Cayden Henschl the previous day, responded with a pin and a tech fall in the consolation rounds. After losses in the quarterfinals and consolation, he secured fifth place with a 1:33 pin in his final match.

UP NEXT
The Saints return to dual action on Saturday, Nov. 9, welcoming No. 2-ranked Central Oklahoma to Moloney Arena at 7 p.m. It will be one of five opportunities to catch the Saints in person this season.