LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University wrestling team is set to host its regular-season finale on Saturday, Feb. 21 as the Bald Eagles welcome Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) rival Clarion University to Thomas Fieldhouse.
The match:
The match is set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 21) night in Thomas Fieldhouse. The dual meet marks the regular-season finale for both teams. LHU enters the match 6-9-1 overall and 1-4 in EWL action. Clarion will come to Clinton County with an 8-12 overall record. The Golden Eagles hold an identical 1-4 league record. Both the Bald and Golden Eagles downed Cleveland State University for their lone EWL win.
Last time out:
The Haven fell in its last match, as the Bald Eagles traveled to local-rival Bloomsburg. LHU lost 29-9 and won just three bouts. Billy Ashnault (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) – 133, Tom Kocher (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) – 184 and Ben Hepburn (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock) picked wins for Lock Haven. Clarion is coming off its win over Cleveland State. The Golden Eagles downed CSU 30-10 as they won 7-of-10 bouts.
Bald and Golden Eagles in the rankings:
Neither LHU nor Clarion has any grapplers ranked in the USA Today/NWCA/InterMat Team & InterMat/NWCA/NWMA Individual Rankings. Lock Haven however does have three athletes ranked in the WrestlingReport NCAA Division 1 National Rankings. Senior Matt Fittery (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) is ranked 27th, while Kocher is 29th and Hepburn comes in ranked 31st. Clarion 125-pounder Jay Ivanco is ranked 26th in the nation by WrestlingReport.
The series:
LHU lead the all-time series 26-18-2. The Haven won last year, 21-13 and has won five straight. Clarion’s last win came in 2004, 25-18 and prior to that Lock Haven had won eight straight over the Golden Eagles dating back to 1996. In 1995 the two teams tied 18-18. The other tie between the two schools came in 1984 (21-21). The Bald Eagles dominated the rivalry early, winning the first seven matches including the first-ever match in 1948 (30-0).
Fittery looking to make it a league of this own:
Senior Matt Fittery could certainly be a top a very elite class if the 149-pounder is able to pick up one more major decision is his already remarkable Bald Eagle career. He currently owns 23 career major decision, which puts him in a seven-way tie for the school record with an illustrious cast of grapplers. Seth Martin (2002-07), Mike Maney (2000-04), JaMarr Billman (1998-2002), Brian Leitzel (1993-97) and current Bald Eagle assistant coach Mike Rodgers (1993-97) all recorded 23 major decisions in their crimson and white careers. Fittery is 71-38 (.651) lifetime the mats for The Haven.
Probable lineups:
LHU -
125: Nick Hyatt, R-So. (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown)
133: Billy Ashnault So. (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield)
141: Zach Kell, R-So. (Ickesburg, Pa./West Perry)
149: Matt Fittery, Sr. (Denver, Pa./Cocalico)
157: Ollie Cooperwood, Sr. (Maple Heights, Ohio/Maple Heights)
165: Aaron Ernest, Fr. (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove)
174: Travis Stem, Jr. (Wingate, Pa./Bald Eagle)
184: Tom Kocher, Sr. (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township)
197: Ben Hepburn, Sr. (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock)
HWT: Gabe Murtorff, R-Fr. (Boiling Springs, Pa./Boiling Springs)
Clarion –
125: Jay Ivanco (17-10) So. (Monroeville/Gateway)
133: Cameron Moran (7-4) Fr. (James City/Kane)
141: Sal Lascari (13-13) Sr. (Gray/North Star)
149: Greg Lewis (8-10) Jr. (New Providence/Lampeter-Strasburg)
157: Hadley Harrison (18-11) Jr. (McKean/General McLane)
165: Dominic Ross (10-15) Sr. (Sharon/Sharon)
174: Scott Joseph (12-12) Jr. (Export/Kiski Area)
184: Clint Podish (18-13) Fr. (Sycamore/Waynesburg)
197:Jamie Luckett (18-10) Sr. (St. Charles, Mo./St. Charles West)
HWT:Roman Husam (4-14) So. (Lewisburg/Lewisburg)
2008-09 LHU records:
Hyatt, 12-12
Ashnault, 19-11
Kell, 4-17
Fittery, 25-7
Cooperwood, 4-8
Ernest, 8-13
Stem, 1-6
Kocher, 22-9
Hepburn, 21-8
Murtorff, 5-20
Haven Season Leaders:
Wins:
Fittery, 25
Kocher 22
Hepburn 21
Ashnault, 19
Hyatt, 12
Winning Percentage:
Fittery, .781
Hepburn, .724
Kocher, .710
Ashnault, .633
Hyatt, .500
Falls:
Fittery, 5
Ashnault, 5
Hyatt, 4
Ernest, 4
Tech. Falls:
Fittery, 4
Wilkinson, 2
Ashnault, 2
Major Decisions:
Kocher, 7
Fittery, 6
Ashnault, 6
Back in action:
The Bald Eagles return to action when Lock Haven plays host to the 2009 EWL Championships. The championships are set for Saturday, March 7 in Thomas Fieldhouse.
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