ERIE, Pa. – The wrestling team improved to 10-4 tonight after beating Gannon University, 23-13.  The win marked the program's first dual meet as Mercyhurst University as it was announced yesterday, Jan.25 that the school would move from college to university status.

The Lakers broke a two year skid against the Golden Knights as Mercyhurst defeated Gannon for the first time since the 2008-09 season.  The win knots the all-time series between the two teams at 6-6.  The loss drops the Golden Knights to 7-2 on the season and breaks their five match winning streak.

The dual meet came down to the final bout with the Golden Knights trailing the Lakers 13-17.  Senior Fred Hale took the mat for Mercyhurst with the match resting on his shoulders.  The Mentor, Ohio native scored on three takedowns before pinning Chaz Lear at the 2:35 minute mark in the first period.  Hale now owns a 23-6 record with eight pins.

The meet started off with two regionally ranked grapplers facing off.  Sophomore Ryan Bohince, the fourth ranked wrestler in the region, battled Matthew Turek, the sixth ranked wrestler, ending up in Bohince's favor.  The 125-pounder for Mercyhurst controlled the majority of the match winning a 7-6 decision putting the Lakers on top early, 3-0.

Freshman Jeremy Landowski handed the Lakers four team points after coming away with a major decision win against Scott Bulzan, 10-2.  Landowski moves to 6-4 overall this season and 3-3 in dual meets.  Teammate Michael Griffith suffered a major decision loss to the fifth ranked grappler in the nation in Ethan Swope.  The freshman battled through the first two periods before Swope took control of the match in the 11-3 loss.  The major decision win for the Golden Knights tied the meet at 7-7.

Redshirt junior Jordan Shields registered his 16^th win of the season after shutting out Sean Floor in a 9-0 major decision.  Shields took command of the bout from the very begging as he accumulated 4:04 of riding time.

Heading into the 174lb matchup the Lakers led by one point as Gannon came away with a decision win at the 165lb class.  Freshman August Mizia took the match against Gannon's Robert Blotzer winning a slow paced match 8-4.  The Golden Knights drew closer after a decision win at the 184lb class, the win put the score at 14-13 in favor of the Lakers.

Sophomore Michael Pollard earned his 20^th win of the season as he beat Zack Zelcs who ranks third in the 184lb Super Region I poll.  The 197lb Pollard went up early and would grind out a 7-4 decision win. 
Heading into the final bout the scoreboard read 17-13 favoring Mercyhurst.  Hale secured the win with a pin fall against Lear. 

Mercyhurst will take the mat Saturday, Jan.28 when they visit West Liberty, West Virginia to take on the Hilltoppers of West Liberty University. 
 
Mercyhurst 23, Gannon 13

125: Ryan Bohince (Mercyhurst) won by decision Matthew Turek (Gannon) 7-6.
133: Adam Weinell (Gannon) won in overtime Kody Young (Mercyhurst) 7-5.   
141: Jeremy Landowski (Mercyhurst) won by major decision Scott Bulzan (Gannon) 10-2.                                              
149: Ethan Swope (GU) won by major decision Michael Griffith (Mercyhurst) 11-3.                                                                
157: Jordan Shields (Mercyhurst) won by major decision Sean Floor (GU) 9-0.                                                                     
165: Adam Greenman (GU) won by decision Adam Lamancusa (Mercyhurst) 7-1.                                                                
174: August Mizia (Mercyhurst) won by decision Robert Blotzer (Gannon) 8-4.                                                                          
184: Bret Terry (Gannon) won by decision Pat Leahy (Mercyhurst) 3-2.                                                                                       
197: Michael Pollard (Mercyhurst) won by decision Zack Zelcs (Gannon) 7-4.
285: Fred Hale (Mercyhurst) won by pin Charles Lear (Gannon) 2:35.