Bald Eagles soar past Cleveland 28-13
Matt Fittery's team-leading 16th win of season at 149 secured the win for the Bald Eagles tonight.
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Lock Haven University wrestling team (7-5, 1-2 EWL) picked up its first Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) dual-meet win of the season tonight as the Bald Eagles downed visiting Cleveland State University 28-13 in Thomas Fieldhouse.
LHU won six of 10 bouts earning bonus point in four of their wins including three by way of pins.
Tonight’s match began at the 174 weight class where junior Tom Kocher (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) dropped a 6-0 decision to Cleveland’s JT Miller as LHU found themselves trailing early.
Sophomore Jeremie Cook (Venice, Fla./Venice) quickly put the Bald Eagles back on top after picking up a 15-5 major decision over CSU’s DJ Cummins at 184. Cook led 3-2 after one period and tacked on eight second period points as he dominated Cummins.
At 197 pounds redshirt-junior Ben Hepburn (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock) picked up a big win for the Haven, pinning Alex Hughes (5:25). After two scoreless periods Hepburn took control of the match earning a takedown and quick pin with 1:35 remaining in the bout putting LHU up 10-3.
Freshman Dan Craig (Paw Paw, Mich./Allegan) lost at heavyweight 9-6 as Lock Haven saw their lead cut to 10-6.
At 125 freshman John Trumbetti (Montvale, N.J./St. Joseph Regional) picked up his 14th win of the season in dominating fashion pinning Cleveland’s Ryan Riggs just 1:53 into their match.
Trumbetti’s pin put the Bald Eagles up 10 points, leading 16-6 after five bouts as each of the Haven three wins thus far came with bonus points.
Freshman Dale Fava (Elmwood Park, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) lost at 133 pounds 7-1.
The loss cut the Haven lead to seven points (16-9).
Redshirt-junior Clint Shirk (Julian, Pa./Bald Eagle) picked up a key win at 141 dropping CSU’s Mike Hurley 9-3 putting the Bald Eagles up 19-9.
With his team-leading 16th win of the season redshirt-junior Matt Fittery (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) secured the win for the Bald Eagles tonight, after downing Ryan Hurley of CSU 8-2.
Fittery’s win put LHU up 22-9 as the Haven secured its first league win of the year.
Although the meet was in hand, freshman John Mangini (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) didn’t slow down as he pinned Cleveland’s Robbie Michaels (6:09) at 157. The bout was a back-and-fourth affair until Mangini scored on a late reversal setting up the pin with just 51 seconds left in the match.
Sophomore Derek Caldwell (Curwensville, Pa./Curwensville) was in action for the just the fourth time this season and lost 12-3.
The Bald Eagles are back in action on Sunday, Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. when they travel to West Virginia University for EWL action.
Individual match by match results:
* Note match started at 174 pounds