Jan. 6, 2006

Indianapolis, Ind. - The Mercyhurst wrestlers are currently in fifth place out of 20 teams after the first day of the Midwest Classic, hosted by the University of Indianapolis.

Three wrestlers made it through the opening day unscathed. Each needs a win tomorrow to wrestle for the championship. At 141, #5-seed J.J. Zanetta had a bye and wins over Nick Sanchez of Heidelberg and Danny Norman of Indianapolis. At 157, #2 Will Tedder received a bye and recorded wins over Justin Goneau of West Liberty and Cody Humphrey of Carson Newman. And at 165, #1 Zack Schafer defeated Joe Patterson of West Liberty, Justin Ransom of Carson Newman, and Corey VanGroll of Wisconsin Parkside. All three have reached the semifinals in the winner's bracket.

Still alive for third place are Payne Lint at 125, Frank Zatta at 184, and Rich Froats at 197.

The tournament will conclude Saturday. Team standings after Friday's action are as follows:

1. Ashland, 83.5
2. Upper Iowa, 76.0
3. Adams State, 75.5
4. Univ. of Wisconsin-Parkside, 65.0
5. Mercyhurst, 59.0
6. West Liberty State, 52.5
7. Univ. of Indianapolis, 50.5
8. Ohio Northern, 49.5
9. Univ. of Findlay, 47.5
10. Southern Illinois Univ. at Edwardsville, 43.5
11. Manchester College, 40.5
12. Missouri Baptist, 39.0
13. Carson Newman, 30.5
14. Campbellsville, 25.5
15. King College, 15.5
16. Wabash College, 14.0
17. Heidelberg, 13.0
18. Cumberland University, 11.0
19. Limestone, 9.0
20. Mount Saint Joseph, 6.0