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(Lock
Haven, Pa.) - The #12 Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania Bald Eagle wrestling team will take to the mat at home again this Saturday, Dec. 1, challenging the Eagles of Eastern Michigan University at 7:30 p.m. It is LHU’s last home contest until the February 1, 2002, match-up against Eastern Wrestling League opponent Edinboro University.
Saturday’s dual marks the first-ever meeting between Lock Haven and Eastern Michigan. The Bald Eagles enter into the contest with a 1-0 dual meet record after defeating Lehigh University, 18-15, two weekends ago. In most recent action, LHU finished fourth of nine teams at the Mat-Town U.S.A. Invitational. The Eastern Michigan Eagles are 0-5 overall, last dropping dual meets to Northern Illinois (34-6) and the University at Buffalo (33-6).
Below is a weight-by-weight preview:
125: Lock Haven’s Trap McCormack (Loganton/Bald Eagle Nittany) or Dave Predko (Ridgway/Ridgway) will challenge at 125 pounds. McCormack, #17-ranked, is 2-1 on the season after going 1-1 at Mat-Town before withdrawing due to illness. Predko is 4-4 overall after finishing in seventh place at the Mat-Town tournament. Eastern Michigan forfeited at this weight twice last weekend, but could still utilize sophomore Ron Thompson (5-3) here.
133: Senior Chris Spealler (Paoli/Great Valley) is currently ranked 18th in the nation, compiling a 4-2 overall mark following a fourth-place finish at the Mat-Town Invitational. His EMU opponent will most likely be sophomore Zack Pyles, who has established an 8-2 season ledger. Pyles has scored victories in his last four bouts.
141: LHU’s #5 Mike Maney (Clarence/Bald Eagle Area) or Justin Owens (Morrisdale/West Branch) will challenge at 141 pounds. Maney, currently 4-0, could sit out after suffering a knee injury in the semifinal match of the Mat-Town tourney. He forfeited (medical) in the finals to finish second overall. Teammate Justin Owens is 4-2 after earning a fifth-place finish at Mat-Town. Three of his four wins came by major decision -- the other was by fall. Eastern Michigan is likely to use either Josh Wiles (5-4) or Eric Fairbanks (1-2).
149: JaMarr Billman (Easton/Easton Area) is LHU’s top-ranked grappler, earning the #2-ranking at 149 pounds. Billman is 9-0 after picking up his third Mat-Town title, defeating #14 Jake Percival of Ohio in the finals. Teammate James LaValle (East Hanover, N.J./Hanover Park) is also a possibility this Saturday. LaValle finished third at Mat-Town, posting a 7-3 overall mark. Whichever wrestler gets the starting nod will have to face EMU’s Keon Suggs (2-6).
157: LHU’s Jason Gilligan (Brookville/Brookville) takes to the mat again this weekend after finishing as the runner-up at the Mat-Town tourney. Gilligan is 4-1 on the season. His Eastern Michigan opponent will be either Derrick Keasley (3-4) or Chris Slater (0-4).
165: Going for the win and team points at 165 pounds will be Lock Haven’s Charlie Brenneman (Hollidaysburg/Hollidaysburg). Brenneman is 2-4 overall and finished sixth at last weekend’s Mat-Town Invitational. Challenging LHU for the win will be the Eagles’ Brett Filmore (0-2) or Chris Slater (0-4).
174: The Haven’s Ed Pawlak (Lakewood, N.Y./Southwestern) will be featured at 174 pounds. Pawlak owns a 2-3 overall mark after finishing fourth at Mat-Town. His EMU opponent will most likely be sophomore Eagle Adam Gilmore
(2-7).
184: The match at 184 pounds will be a contest between LHU’s Josh Millard (Mill Hall/Bald Eagle Area) and Eastern Michigan’s Dane Bonnigson. Millard is 2-3 overall, finishing seventh at Mat-Town. The senior Bald Eagles two wins came big, a major decision over Slippery Rock’s John Opfar and a fall (4:33) over Brian Neuman of Bucknell. Bonnigson, 7-4 overall, will be looking to get back on the winning track after dropping his last two dual meet bouts.
197: Avery Zerkle (Urbana, Ohio/Graham) or Mike Greenberg (Canton/Canton) will wrestle for The Haven at 197 pounds. Zerkle is 2-1 overall, winning his first two matches at Mat-Town before withdrawing due to injury. Greenberg is another Bald Eagle fighting off illness, but went 2-1 at Mat-Town last weekend, finishing fourth at 184 pounds. EMU’s Travis Kraft, a junior, will bring a 3-5 overall mark into the match.
HWT: Sophomore Tim Boetsch (Lincolnville, Maine/Camden Rockport) (0-3) will handle duties at 285 pounds for the Bald Eagles. His opponent will be the Eagles’ Kenny Leckrone (1-4).
UP NEXT:
The Bald Eagles will travel to the Lehigh University Duals on Saturday, December 8, where they will face Ohio University, Rider University, and Rutgers University. Eastern Michigan will compete at the Penn State Open on December 2 before traveling to Northwestern University to take on the Wildcats along with Princeton
University on December 8.
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