Wrestling Takes Down #22 West Virginia, 21-19

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – An unexpected pinfall combined with domination at the lighter weights and an excellent strategic move at heavyweight were all factors in the Lock Haven University wrestling team’s (5-7, 2-2 EWL) victory over No. 22 West Virginia University (3-6, 3-1 EWL), 21-19 tonight at Thomas Fieldhouse. Freshman Matt Fittery (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) scored the surprise second-period pin in the 141-pound bout.

The Bald Eagles swept the first four matches, as freshman Obe Blanc (Naples, Fla./Lely) got the night started at 125 with a 15-7 major decision over Shawn Cordell. Junior Jim Collins (Jonestown, Pa./Northern Lebanon) followed that up with a 4-3 win over Cody Gustines, giving Collins his ninth win of the year and the team a 7-0 advantage.

Fittery then followed with his pin, by spearing Vince Gioiella straight to his back and keeping his shoulders down for the win.

“Matt’s pin was huge,” said LHU head coach Rocky Bonomo. “He lost to that guy earlier in the year. That’s exactly what I’m asking for from these men, constant improvement, and it certainly put us in position for the win tonight.”

Joshua A. Medina (Las Vegas/Pima C.C.) followed with a convincing 15-7 major victory over Teddy Adams at 149, bringing the LHU lead to 16-0. Medina’s riding-time point was crucial in providing the bonus for the Haven.

The mid and upper weights are a Mountaineer strong suit, and they didn’t disappoint tonight, as WVU took the next five bouts. No. 7 Matt Lebe got things started with a hard-fought 5-2 decision over giant-killer Seth Martin (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove). Martin had beated a No. 13 and another previously-ranked grappler in the course of this week.

Zac Fryling had the shortest bout of the night at 165, pinning junior B.J. Mikeska (Derry, Pa./Bloomsburg University) in 35 seconds. Bald Eagle sophomore Carlos Ponce (Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah Miami Lakes) nearly stole a win from Eric Mullen at 174, as Ponce scored an escape with 16 seconds left, making the score 7-6, but couldn’t get a takedown to get the win.

Unanimous No. 1 Greg Jones got more of a battle than he expected out of sophomore Mike Metzger (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin) but scored two third-period takedowns to secure the 19-5 major decision. Haven freshman Ben Hepburn (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock) couldn’t get on track against Jared Villers, falling 9-2 and giving the Mountaineers a 17-16 advantage.

For the second meet in a row, it came down to the final bout at heavyweight. This time, Bonomo made a strategic switch, putting 197-pounder Morgan Horner (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./Hasbrouck Heights) in against WVU’s Matt Holsopple. Horner proceeded to dismantle Holsopple 12-2, earning the 21-19 win.

It was the first Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) loss for the Mountaineers this season.

Fittery, Blanc, Collins, Bonomo, Medina, Martin, Mikeska, Ponce, Metzger, Hepburn, Horner and the rest of the Bald Eagles are back in action Friday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. as they travel to Bloomsburg University.

Wt.	LHU 21, #22 West Virginia 19
125	Obe Blanc (LHU) md Shawn Cordell, 15-7
133	Jim Collins (LHU) dec. Cody Gustines, 4-3
141	Matt Fittery (LHU) fall Vince Gioiella, 3:18
149	Joshua A. Medina (LHU) md Teddy Adams, 15-7
157	#7 Matt Lebe (WVU) dec. Seth Martin, 5-2
165	Zac Fryling (WVU) fall B.J. Mikeska, 0:35
174	Eric Mullen (WVU) dec. Carlos Ponce, 7-6
184	#1 Greg Jones (WVU) md Mike Metzger, 19-5
197	Jared Villers (WVU) dec. Ben Hepburn, 9-2
Hwt.	Morgan Horner (LHU) md Matt Holsopple, 12-2
	*all rankings by NWCA