LHU Takes #10 Cornell to the Limit, 26-12

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The first of four-straight ranked opponents for the Lock Haven University wrestling team (3-6) provided some pleasant surprises but the Bald Eagles fell tonight (Jan. 8) 26-12 to No. 10 Cornell University (1-2) at Thomas Fieldhouse. The Bald Eagles managed a trio of victories and some hard-fought losses on the night’s effort.

Senior No. 16 Joshua Medina (Las Vegas/Pima C.C.) and juniors Seth Martin (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove) and Derrick Morgan (Media, Pa./Athens) all came out on the positive end.

The evening started at 125, with No. 15 Obenson Blanc (Naples, Fla./Lely) facing one of the toughest competitors of his career, the NCAA undefeated No. 5 Troy Nickerson. Nickerson got the best of Blanc with a third-period fall (6:16). It was the first time Blanc had been pinned this season.

LHU’s luck didn’t improve over the next two bouts, as sophomore Casey Moore (Beech Creek, Pa./Central Mountain) lost by major to No. 10 Mike Mormile 12-3, and classmate Brian Ellis (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) dropped his first overall match of the 2005-06 season 7-3 to Matt Easter.

Medina then followed with a 3-1 win over Keith Dickey in an absolute battle. After a scoreless first period, Medina got a takedown with just over a minute left in the second, and matched a Dickey escape with one of his own in the third to improve to 14-4.

Martin had the most impressive victory of the night for LHU, as looking to go up 5-0 in the second, Martin shot a single-leg and drug the left ankle to the mat, injuring No. 6 Dustin Mormile, and cutting the Big Red lead to 13-9. Martin’s team-best record improves to 21-7 on the win.

“Normally I don’t get as nervous for the guys that I shouldn’t beat on paper,” Martin said. “But tonight I was on my last nerve. This guy tech fall’d me a few years back, so that may have had something to do with it. About two minutes before my match I just put it all behind me and put my best effort out there.”

Sophomore Rory McCoy (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) was as close as 5-4 in the third period to No. 11 Steve Ancercavage, but the 165-pounder picked up a stunning reversal and the riding time to finish out 8-5.

Junior 174-pounder Carlos Ponce (Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah Miami Lakes) had a 1-1 mark in the final period with a riding-time point coming, but saw the win slip out of his fingers in the final 15 seconds, when Luke Hogle scored a takedown to beat Ponce for the second time this season 3-2.

At 184, Morgan grabbed an impressive victory over Dan Miracola 8-2, pulling the team to a 19-12 deficit with two bouts left.

Freshman 197-pounder Tom Kocher (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) dropped a 14-2 major decision to No. 9 Jerry Rinaldi before senior Tim Meyers (Mill Hall, Pa./Central Mountain) battled Zach Hammond to overtime and a 4-2 loss, finishing the day at a 26-12 Cornell win.

Medina, Martin, Morgan, Blanc, Moore, Ellis, McCoy, Ponce, Kocher, Meyers and the rest of the Bald Eagles are back in action when they host No. 12 Penn State University (7-2) who beat Cornell 27-7 earlier today.

Wt. Class Bout Team Score
125 #5 Troy Nickerson (C) wbf #15 Obenson Blanc (6:16) CU 6-0
133 #10 Mike Mormile (C) MD Casey Moore 12-3 CU 10-0
141 Matt Easter (C) dec. Brian Ellis 7-3 CU 13-0
149 #16 Joshua Medina (L) dec. Keith Dickey 3-1 CU 13-3
157 Seth Martin (L) inj. def. #6 Dustin Manotti CU 13-9
165 #11 Steve Ancercavage (C) dec. Rory McCoy 8-5 CU 16-9
174 Luke Hogle (C) dec. Carlos Ponce 3-2 CU 19-9
184 Derrick Morgan (L) dec. Dan Miracola 6-3 CU 19-12
197 #9 Jerry Rinaldi (C) MD Tom Kocher 14-2 CU 23-12
Hwt. Zach Hammond (C) dec. Tim Meyers 4-2 sv CU 26-12