ADRIAN, Michigan – The Mount St. Joseph wrestling team opened its 2025-26 campaign with an impressive showing at the Adrian Invitational over the weekend, placing 14 wrestlers across the varsity and freshman/sophomore divisions and securing a sixth-place team finish to kick off the new season.
The tournament featured split brackets at each weight class, giving both veteran Lions and underclassmen meaningful early-season opportunities. In the varsity division, Dakota Phillips (125 lbs) set the tone with a sixth-place finish, battling through a 1-3 day. At 133 lbs, Bryce Brown delivered one of the Lions' strongest varsity performances, going 3-2 on his way to fifth place—including a first-period fall in his opening match.
Cahiel Linton added another fifth-place finish for MSJ at 141 lbs behind a 2-2 effort highlighted by a win by fall. At 157 lbs, Dylan Fritz went 1-3 and came just short of placing, while Noah Johnson (165 lbs) secured sixth place. McCaden Skeens rounded out varsity scoring with a seventh-place finish at 184 lbs.
MSJ's underclassmen shined in the freshman/sophomore division, showcasing the program's depth and future potential. Brayden Kuhling led the group with a runner-up finish at 174 lbs after a 2-1 performance. Two Lions claimed third-place finishes—David Maher at 197 lbs and Troy Myers at 165 lbs—each contributing valuable points.
In a strong showing from the upper weights, Dominic Marr earned fourth at 285 lbs, edging out teammate Donovan Gayle, who claimed fifth. Additional placements included Issac Leppert (5th, 165 lbs), Juan Gutierrez (6th, 141 lbs), Liam Sprague (6th, 149 lbs), and Kayne Garrett (7th, 149 lbs).
The Lions return to action next weekend when they travel to the Washington & Jefferson Invitational as they continue building momentum early in the season.
