Match Notes - Grand Canyon Duals
Grand Canyon University Preview Story

ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College wrestling team is set to compete in the 2011 Grand Canyon Duals on Saturday, Dec.31 in Phoenix, Ariz. at the Grand Canyon University Arena.  The Lakers will compete in three dual meets against some of the nation's best teams.

Mercyhurst will start dual action against Grand Canyon at 11 a.m. on Saturday.  The Antelopes have a 1-1 dual record this season with their loss coming against Arizona State University.  The last NCAA Division II wrestling rankings tabbed the 'Lopes as the No.5 team in the country. 

Currently Grand Canyon has two nationally ranked wrestlers in, Kyle McCrite (125lb) and Teddy Bristol (157lb).  Last season Bristol finished fifth at nationals earning himself All-America status.

McCrite is ranked as the No.7 grappler at the 125lb class and was a National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association All-American in 2011 and 2010, finishing sixth last season during the NJCAA tournament.  Victory Carazo the 'Lopes 174-pounder is a two-time All-American as he finished third at nationals last season and fourth in 2009-10.  Both Grand Canyon's Brett Sanchez (184lb) and Celic Bell (197lb) are two-time NJCAA All-Americans.  Rounding out the 'Lopes lineup is Jordan Johnson who is a Division I transfer from Iowa University that placed sixth at the ASICS Men's Freestyle University National Championships in 2009-10.

The Lakers second dual meet will be against the No.3 team in the nation, St. Cloud State University at 1 p.m.  The Huskies are 3-0 this season in dual meets heading into the Grand Canyon Duals. 

St. Cloud State has five nationally ranked grapplers, the most among teams Mercyhurst will compete against at the duals.  The Huskies support two mat men with No.1 rankings.  Tad Merrit a 165-pounder is a three-time NCAA placewinner finishing third twice (2010-11 and 2008-09) and fifth in 2009-10.  The Huskies heavyweight Jacob Kahnke holds a 15-1 record this season earning him No.1 status.  Kahnke placed second at nationals last season and fourth the year before that. 

Derek Skala (184lb) is a three-time national qualifier and is ranked No.2 according to the NCAA.  A two-time All-American Shamus O'Grady (No.3) placed fourth last season at the 174lb class.  O'Grady is 2-0 in dual action thus far this season.  Jacob D. Horn is ranked eighth in the nation at the 157lb class, last season Horn took home fifth place honors at the 149lb class.

The last dual of the day for the Lakers will come against Colorado Mesa University who ranks as the No.18 team in the country.  The Mavericks are 1-0 on the season as they beat Western State University in their first dual meet of the season on December 9.

The Mavericks 133lb wrestler, Tyler Nelson is a 2010-11 national qualifier and currently owns a 4-4 record.  The only nationally ranked wrestler on the Mavericks squad is Dylan Granard.  Granard is 2-2 overall this season with a 1-0 record in duals.  The 165-pounder is ranked fourth nationally and was a national qualifier last season.

Nick Peterson, Colorado Mesa's 184lb wrestler is a two-time NJCAA All-American and was the NJCAA national champion last season.  Peterson holds an 11-4 record this season with a team high four pins.

In dual action Merychurst is off to a quick 4-0 start this season, winning its first dual of the season against Waynesburg State University on Dec.14.  Three days late the Lakers went a perfect three-for-three at the Mercyhurst North East Quad Meet, beating East Stroudsburg, Seton Hill and Mercyhurst North East. 

The Lakers 125-pounder, Ryan Bohince is 15-9 this season and is tied for second in Division II for tech fall wins with three.  Sophomore Michael Pollard also is tied for second in the tech falls category with three but is also tied for seventh in falls with eight this season.  Pollard is off to a 15-4 start with a 4-0 record in duals.  Freshman Kody Young is 18-5 this season with 10 wins coming way of the fall.  Young's 10 pins ties him for the lead in the nation in the falls category. 

Redshirt Junior Jordan Shields enters the Grand Canyon Duals with a 10-1 record helping him to a No.3 national ranking.  Josh Shields is 3-0 this season making his return on Dec.14 in the Lakers first dual meet.  Three days later Shields climbed the Mercyhurst all-time wins list earning his 100^th career victory on Dec.17 at the Mercyhurst North East Quad Meet. 

The Lakers heavyweight, Fred Hale is 17-4 this season and is ranked No.7 in the nation.  Hale won the W&J Open earlier in the season and has placed second in both the Laker Open and the Ohio Northern Tournament.  Freshman August Mizia took third at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament which was mix of Division I and II talent.  The 174-pounder is 15-6 this season and has six major decision wins. 

Live video coverage of the Grand Canyon Duals will be available by clicking here.  Also, Grand Canyon University will provide a live Twitter feed featuring match highlights throughout the day which can be followed by clicking here.  In addition to live action, results will also be posted to GCULopes.com after each round of dual meets is completed.