Wrestling Downs American, 28-16

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Facing three ranked wrestlers may seem like a daunting task, but the Lock Haven University wrestling team (2-0) wouldn't back down from the challenge, nearly taking two of those bouts and winning the dual meet with American University (0-4), 28-16 tonight at the Thomas Fieldhouse. 165-pound junior B.J. Mikeska (Derry, Pa./Bloomsburg University) continued his dual-meet excellence, scoring a major victory to lead the Haven.

Mikeska took Dwayne Hash-Barberis 16-8, improving to 7-5 on the season and 2-0 in dual meets. Joining Mikeska in the win column were Josh Medina (Las Vegas/Pima C.C.) with a 10-4 decision and Ben Hepburn (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock) recorded a 9-2 win. American was forced to forfeit three weight classes due to lack of grapplers.

The unsung heroes of tonight's dual were senior Justin Johnson (Wyalusing,Pa./Bloomsburg University) and junior Carlos Ponce (Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah Miami Lakes).

Johnson squared off with No. 16 Josh Glenn, and scored a quick takedown in the first 15 seconds that nearly resulted in a fall. Glenn would recover for a fall of his own at 6:52. Ponce took on No. 20 Daniel Waters, taking the 174-pounder to the limit in a 6-5 loss.

"I'm proud of everybody's effort tonight," head coach Rocky Bonomo said. "(American head coach) Mark Cody said we had his guys scouted well, and I attribute that to the hard work of our guys. The challenges only get tougher from here, but I'm proud of these men."

Mikeska, Medina, Hepburn, Johnson, Ponce and the rest of the Bald Eagles are back in action Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 9 a.m. at the Southern Scuffle, hosted by UNC-Greensboro.