Wagner Finishes Second at Nationals

WICHITA, Kan. - The Marian wrestling team had its first-ever wrestler compete for an NAIA National Championship on Saturday night, as Logan Wagner battled in the championship match in the 141 weight class. Wagner would end the night as the NAIA National Runner-Up at 141, earning the best individual finish for Marian in program history. 

Logan Wagner competed against Yoshiya Funakoshi of Embry-Riddle in the title match, as the eighth and eleventh seeds in the bracket of the 141 weight class squared off. Wagner battled early in his bout, but would get taken down by Funakoshi in the late stages of the first period to fall behind 3-0. 

In the second period, Wagner dominated Funakoshi, starting in the bottom position and never releasing his hold on the Eagle, gaining momentum entering the third period. In the final period, Funakoshi would get a stalling warning, ultimately allowing Wagner to escape and get on the board. Late in the period, Wagner was able to take the Eagle to the ground, but the takedown came as time expired in the match, ending the bout in a 3-1 loss for the Marian wrestler.

Wagner ended the night with a 4-1 record at the NAIA National Championship, going 28-2 overall on the season for Marian.