MARIETTA, Ga. – True freshman Bella Hernandez led the way in the season opener for the Minot State wrestling team, racking up her first three collegiate wins and advancing to the consolation semifinals at the Eagles Madness tournament hosted by Life University.

Adding to the strong opening-day effort was returning national qualifier Nina Sandoval who picked up a pair of wins and advanced to the consolation quarterfinals for the Beavers.

After an opening setback, Hernandez got on roll with back-to-back wins by pin in the 130-pound bracket, over Zoey Smith of Cumberlands and Cadence Wallace of Sienna Heights. She then scored a 16-4 technical fall victory over Samantha Larios of Emmanuel to earn a spot in the consolation semifinals before her tournament came to an end.

As for Sandoval, she too lost her opener in the 155-pound bracket but bounced back strong with a pair of wins by pin, one over Makenzie Robinson of Emory and Henry, and another over Isabella Kessey of Mount Olive before a loss ended her run at the tournament.

Adding victories on the day, as well, for the Beavers were true freshmen Julia Petryna at 116 pounds, Ari Korish at 123 pounds, and Michelle Klein at 170 pounds.

Petryna picked up a win by tech fall and another by pin, Korish earned a win by pin, and Klein won by tech fall, all of which were these new Beavers first collegiate victories.

Minot State now returns home to host the Beaver Bash Duals on Friday at the MSU Dome with action beginning at noon.