LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – After clinching the MAC East Championship title, LHU Men’s Wrestling welcomed West Virginia University to Thomas Fieldhouse for a non-conference meet on Sunday, Feb. 19. The Bald Eagles lost 34-9; it was an expected loss due to WVU having nine nationally-ranked wrestlers on their roster, but was more well-fought than anticipated.
Prior to any on-mat action, the university celebrated the following graduating seniors: Ashton Eyler, Matt Maloney, Tyler Dilley, and Kollin Myers.
Photo: Lock Haven Athletics/Abby Katrinak
WVU was able to win their first match via forfeit, likely due to LHU wanting to rest nationally-ranked No. 11 Anthony Noto going into the upcoming MAC Championships, giving WVU the immediate 6-0 lead.
No. 31 Gable Strickland was able to get the pin on Jace Schafer at the 4:28 mark, tying it up, 6-6.
At 141, WVU’s No. 31 Jordan Titus was able to keep Zack Zeamer from pushing LHU into the lead. WVU led 9-6.
The Bald Eagles’ Nick Stonecheck was able to pull off an upset against one of WVU’s No. 26 Sam Hillegas, in a 3-0 decision. The atmosphere in the Fieldhouse was absolutely buzzing with the score being tied up again.
Stonecheck’s win over Hillegas was the final match of the day that gave LHU points on the board.
At 157, Ashton Eyler lost by major decision against No. 29 Alex Hornfeck, giving the Mountaineers the 13-9 lead.
Peyton Hall, who currently is the top-ranked wrestler at 165, pinned Aiden Gaugler. LHU opted to forfeit at 174, bringing WVU’s lead to 25-9.
Colin Fegley was able to spark some life into the crowd after some disappointing bouts, but was unsuccessful at getting the win. Despite the loss, Fegley was able to stand his ground relatively well against No. 29 Anthony Carman, holding the match 5-5 until the very last seconds where Carman was able to snag another 4 points, bringing the match to a 9-5 decision. It was now 28-9 in favor of the Mountaineers.
Freshman Cael Black stepped onto the mat to face No. 28 Austin Cooley, but was unable to bring the Bald Eagles more points. Cooley won by decision, furthering WVU’s lead to 31-9.
The final bout of the day was one of the most exciting, as No. 33 Isaac Reid was put up against No. 23 Michael Wolfgram. Reid and Wolfgram were able to keep each other on their toes, with Wolfgram getting WVU’s sixth straight win of the meet by decision, bringing the final score to 34-9 in favor of West Virginia.
West Virginia was able to notch their tenth victory of the season, bringing their record to 10-5. The loss for Lock Haven has brought their split to 8-7.
The following bout-by-bout results are courtesy of Lock Haven Athletics:
Bout-by-Bout Results:
125: Colton Drousias (West Virginia) won by forfeit / West Virginia 6-0
133: #31 Gable Strickland (Lock Haven) pinned Jace Schafer (West Virginia) 4:28 / Tied 6-6
141: #31 Jordan Titus (West Virginia) dec. Zack Zeamer (Lock Haven) 6-0 / West Virginia 9-6
149: Nick Stonecheck (Lock Haven) dec. #26 Sam Hillegas (West Virginia) 3-0 / Tied 9-9
157: #29 Alex Hornfeck (West Virginia) major dec. Ashton Eyler (Lock Haven) 13-0 / West Virginia 13-9
165: #11 Peyton Hall (West Virginia) pinned Aiden Gaugler (Lock Haven) 1:42 / West Virginia 19-9
174: Scott Joll (West Virginia) won by forfeit / West Virginia 25-9
184: #29 Anthony Carman (West Virginia) dec. Colin Fegley (Lock Haven) 9-5 / West Virginia 28-9
197: #28 Austin Cooley (West Virginia) dec. Cael Black (Lock Haven) 10-3 / West Virginia 31-9
285: #23 Michael Wolfgram (West Virginia) dec. #33 Isaac Reid (Lock Haven) 6-4 / West Virginia 34-9
FINAL: West Virginia 34 – Lock Haven 9
*Individual Rankings = NCAA Coaches’ Panel (Feb. 9)
