GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence men's wrestling team kicked off the season with a successful intra-squad dual Monday night.

18 different wrestlers competed for the Argos, who had last hit the mats on March 7 of last year during the NAIA National Championship.

"Nine months without a wrestling match is the longest time I've gone without wrestling in my career," head coach Steve Komac said. "For these kids, they're used to training pretty much year-round and competing at least every few months. Nine months is a long time. It felt great to get out here."

The team returned to campus mid-December to begin practicing and the coaching staff have been thrilled with the team's dedication and commitment since their return.

"The work ethic has been outstanding," Komac said. "The whole coaching staff has been very pleased with what's going on in the room. It hasn't been an easy time for anybody in the room but we're moving forward. We really like this group a lot moving forward. We're very happy and very excited to back."

The scrimmaged consisted of two teams coached by each assistant coach, while Komac assessed from afar. Overall, he was pleased with what he saw.

"I saw a lot of effort to try to win," Komac said. "No matter how much you train in a wrestling room, the competition is different under the lights. The nerves, the anxiety, the pressures we all put on ourselves. They change your cardio system a little bit. We've been looking pretty good in the room, but we have some ground to gain out here."