Bald Eagles down Bucknell 21-18 in thriller, Craig’s win at heavyweight seals it for LHU

LEWISBURG, Pa. – It came down to the wire, but with the match on the line freshman Dan Craig (Paw Paw, Mich./Allegan) came up big with a win at heavyweight lifting the Lock Haven University wrestling team (8-6) over Bucknell University (7-10-1) 21-18 on the road tonight in a thriller.

The match was tied heading into the final bout and Craig proved the be the difference, earning a 10-5 decision over Bucknell’s George Hingson giving the Haven the win in non-league action.

Rookie John Trumbetti (Montvale, N.J./St. Joseph Regional) continued his tear, winning 5-2 at 125 putting LHU up early.

After two straight Bucknell wins, redshirt-junior Matt Fittery (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) got LHU back on track with his team-leading 18th win of the season. He downed Kevin LeValley 8-6.

Freshman John Mangini (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) picked up his second pin in three matches giving the Bald Eagles critical bonus points.

Bucknell would respond with wins at 165 and 174, but LHU wasn’t done there by any means, saving some spectacular wrestling for the final three bouts.

Wins by sophomore Jeremie Cook (Venice, Fla./Venice), 184 and redshirt-junior Ben Hepburn (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock), 197 tied the match at 18, allowing Craig the opportunity to put it away for the Haven.

Cook picked up a huge win, pinning Bucknell’s Charlie Wonsettler just 2:14 into the match and Hepburn followed it up with a 7-5 decision over Sean LoCurto.

Craig’s 10-5 win ended it for LHU, giving them the valuable win on the road.

The Bald Eagles are back in action next Friday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. when they host Bloomsburg University in Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) action.

Individual match-by-match
125 – John Trumbetti (LHU) dec. Jose Matos (B), 5-2.
133 – No. 19 David Marble (B) maj. dec. Billy Ashnault (LHU), 12-3.
141 – Luke Chohany (B) inj. def. Clint Shirk (LHU).
149 – Matt Fittery (LHU) dec. Kevin LeValley (B), 8-6.
157 – John Mangini (LHU) dec. Brantley Hooks (B), 7-3.
165 – No. 19 Andy Rendos (B) tech. fall Derek Caldwell (LHU), 18-2.
174 – Shane Riccio (B) dec. Mike Metzger (LHU), 3-0.
184 – Jeremie Cook (LHU) pinned Charlie Wonsettler (B), 2:14.
197 – Ben Hepburn (LHU) dec. Sean LoCurto (B), 7-5.
285 – Dan Craig (LHU) dec. George Hingson (B), 10-5.