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The Minot State women's wrestling team hit the stage for a unique event hosted by North Dakota State on Sunday and made a small bit of history in the process.
Competing alongside the Bison men's team, who wrestled the University of Mary at the Dakota Duals, the Beaver ladies scored a season-opening 25-23 comeback victory over Sioux Falls, the first collegiate win for head coach Keegan Berry.
The Beavers (1-0 duals) return to the mats next week, wrestling their first tournament as Minot State competes in the Dickinson State Open on Saturday.
Sunday in the dual against the Cougars, Minot State got an early win by pin from Aliah Bertalotto in the 110-pound match, tying the dual at 5-5. Bertalotto won in 1 minute, 47 seconds, earning her first collegiate victory.
From there, Sioux Falls picked up three wins in a row and built a 19-5 lead before the Beavers made a dramatic charge.
Puakela Beebe got the comeback started with her 10-0 technical fall victory at 138 pounds, then two-time national qualifier Haleigh Lematta picked up a win by pin in 1:15 in her 145-pound match, closing the gap to 19-14.
Minot State then got a point from No. 9-ranked Vida Beckel, despite a 12-2 technical fall loss at 160, sending the Beavers into the final two matches needed bonus-point wins for the team victory.
Alyssa Arana and Madilyn Schuck rose to the occasion as Arana gutted out a win by pin in 4:58 at 180 pounds, then Schuck secured the dual victory with her win by pin at 207 pounds in 1:39.
Minot State added one more win on the day as Kaylie Julander won by pin in 2:04 in an extra, non-dual 160-pound bout, her first collegiate victory, as well.