Dakota Galt is headed to the University of Mary.  Image Courtesy Joe Ahlquist (Argus Leader)

Dakota Galt has verbally committed to continue his wrestling career at the University of Mary.  Galt, a four time Class B South Dakota state champion from Beresford, will join a class of sixteen wrestlers primed to join a rising Marauders program next season.  Galt’s path to the University of Mary comes non-traditionally, as the 2017 high school graduate committed at that time to compete for Division I Arizona State University.   Galt was on the ASU campus for only a semester before being dismissed from the wrestling team and University.

“I made some bad decisions while in Arizona and got into some trouble that I am not proud of,” Galt noted over the phone to NDwrestle.  “I’m looking forward to a new opportunity to prove myself both on the mat and off at Mary.”

Initially, Galt thought he may never compete again, but after volunteering with a high school program in Arizona, he realized that wasn’t an option.

“I realized while coaching that if I gave up (on competing) I would always regret it and never forgive myself,” Galt noted.

Galt ultimately moved to Fargo, where he hit a peak weight of 190 pounds before getting serious about a return to the mat.  Since then he has worked, found mat time when possible, and trained for the Fargo Marathon that will take place May 19.

Initially, Galt had plans of joining the NDSU wrestling squad, but after much reflection decided that it was best to pursue other options.  When Mary head coach Adam Aho made contact, competing for the Marauders went from a consideration to something more serious.

“I loved my interactions with Coach Aho in our initial visit, and was able to visit campus two weeks ago,” Galt said.  “The team was great and I really felt like it was a place I could focus on academics and wrestling without a lot of outside distractions.”

Galt’s wrestling career actually got it’s beginnings in Bismarck, where he attended Rita Murphy elementary and the Gorilla Wrestling Club before moving on to Fargo and then Beresford.  Both of Galt’s parents are from Bismarck and family members are still in the capital city.

Galt is projected to wrestle 141 pounds for the Marauders.