BLUE EARTH &8212; The fourth-ranked United South Central wrestling team opened up its tournament season with an impressive victory at the Dick Maher Invitational in Blue Earth Saturday. The Class A Rebels scored 179.5 points to take the top spot while Class AA Adrian was second with 173 and Maple River was third.

USC had a wrestler finish in the top six of every weightclass except two to earn the win.

Dylan Thisius was the Rebels&8217; lone champion on the day as he dominated his way to a win at 145 taking care of Waterville-Elysian-Morristown&8217;s Blake Boran in the finals 8-4

Matthew Wood battled Dylan Wiotas of Maple River in the finals at 140 coming up just short of a title with a 4-2 decision. Jake Herman was also a finalist for USC at 160 where he was pinned by Bryce Andrews of Madeila-Truman in 2:09 while Nathan Goette fell to No. 4 Alex Bach of Maple River 3-0 in the championship match at 171.

At 103, Dustin Dylla pinned Blue Earth&8217;s Jake Wirtjes in 1:53 to finish third, Zach Wigern advanced to the championship match at 112 before falling to No.8 Paul Nogren of Maple River 9-0 and Ernest Robledo finished fourth at 119 for the Rebels.

Chris Escherich took sixth place at 125 and second-ranked Seth Amberg rebounded from a loss to finish third at 130 with a 4-0 win over Brock Bullerman of Adrian.

Nick Stevermer took third at 189 for the Rebels with an 8-3 win over Eric McMonagle of Madelia-Truman, No. 10 Mike Linder posted a dominating 13-5 major decision win over Mat Willner at 215 to finish third and A.J. Dreyer finished fourth at heavyweight.