PHONEIX, Ariz. – The Mercyhurst College wrestling team won its last dual of the day after dropping its first two today, Dec.31 during the Grand Canyon Duals held at Grand Canyon University Arena. 

The Lakers started off their first dual of the afternoon with two straight wins.  Sophomore Ryan Bohince beat the seventh ranked grappler at the 125lb class in Kyle McCrite with a 3-2 decision giving the Lakers the early 3-0 team lead.  Freshman Kody Young followed Bohince's showing with a decision win of his own.  Young defeated Lino Estrada 13-6 putting Mercyhurst up 6-0.  Grand Canyon responeded with back-to-back wins of their own at the 141lb and 149lb class before Jordan Shields shutout the No.4 grappler in the nation at the 157lb class.  Shields who put the 'Hurst back on top after beating Ted Bristol in a decision win.  Josh Shields marked his fourth win of the season after tallying a 6-0 win against the 'Lopes David Wilber.

Down 12-7, Grand Canyon rattled off three consecutive wins sealing the win for the Antelopes.  Senior Fred Hale earned a major decision win in the last bout of the dual after registering a 14-1 win over Nate Zobott.

The Lakers fell 48-0 to St. Cloud State in their second dual of the day.  The grapplers for St. Cloud State stayed perfect against the Lakers as the No.3 team in the nation registered five pin wins.  The No.8 wrestler in the nation Jacob D. Horn edged the Lakers 157lb Shields in a 6-0 decision.  Freshman August Mizia gave the No.3 nationally ranked 174-pounder, Shamus O'Grady a good match but couldn't come away with a win as O'Grady pulled off the 7-2 decision win.

Mercyhurst bounced back in its last match of the day with a 28-9 win against Colorado Mesa in the Lakers night cap dual.  Bohince, Young, Jordan Shields, Josh Shields, and Hale all recorded their second win on the day in the Lakers first team win of the day.  Bohince registered a major decision win giving the Lakers a quick 4-0 lead on the Mavericks.  Just one match later Young won by decision helping the Lakers to a 7-0 start to the last dual of the day.

Freshman Michael Griffith won 16-4 for his first win of the tournament at the 149lb class.  Mercyhurst then went on a four match win streak behind Josh Shields 6-0 decision over the fourth nationally ranked grappler at the 165lb class.  During the bout win streak Jordan Shields won in a major decision while August Mizia and Michael Pollard both recorded their first win of the day.  Hale the Lakers heavyweight grappler rounded out the Laker lineup with a 9-0 major decision win.

As a team the Lakers improve to 5-2 on the season in dual meets after registering a win today against No.18 Colorado Mesa.  The two losses the Lakers suffered today were the first two losses of the season both to top five teams.

The Lakers head to Johnstown, Pa. to face off against Pitt-Johnstown on Jan.11 at 7 p.m.

Mercyhurst 16 vs. Grand Canyon 21:
 
125: Ryan Bohince (MER) def. No.7 Kyle McCrite (GCU) 3-2 MER 3-0
133: Kody Young (MER) def. Lino Estrada (GCU) 13-6 MER 6-0
141: David Makara (GCU) def. Levi Smeltzer (MER) 7-2 MER 6-3
149: Bobby Ward (GCU) def. Michael Griffith (MER) maj. dec. 13-5 GCU 7-6
157: No. 3 Jordan Shields (MER) def. No. 4 Ted Bristol (GCU) 4-0 MER 9-7
165: Josh Shields (MER) def. David Wilber (GCU) 6-0 MER 12-7
174: Victor Carazo (GCU) def. August Mizia (MER) maj. dec. 15-3 MER 12-11
184: Brett Sanchez (GCU) def. Michael Pollard (MER) maj. dec., 15-4 GCU 15-12
197: Celic Bell (GCU) def. Seth Stonis (MER) fall, 6:05 GCU 21-12
285: No. 7 Fred Hale (MER) def. Nate Zobott (GCU) maj. dec. 14-1 GCU 21-16

Mercyhurst 0 vs. St. Cloud State 48:
 
125: Dylan Wright (SCS) def. Ryan Bohince (MER) maj. dec. 12-1 SCS 4-0
133: Andy Pokorny (SCS) def. Kody Young (MER) maj. dec. 15-6 SCS 8-0
141: Jay Hildreth (SCS) def. Levi Smeltzer (MER) fall, 4:10 SCS 14-0
149: Josh Howk (SCS) def. Michael Griffith (MER) fall, :53 SCS 20-0
157: No. 8 Jacob D. Horn (SCS) def. No. 3 Jordan Shields (M) 6-0 SCS 23-0
165: No. 1 Tad Merritt (SCS) def. Josh Shields (MER) fall, :55 SCS 29-0
174: No. 3 Shamus O'Grady (SCS) def. August Mizia (MER) 7-2 SCS 32-0
184: No. 2 Derek Skala (SCS) def. Pat Carter (MER) maj. dec., 18-5 SCS 36-0
197: Mic Berg (SCS) def. Chaz Sheaffer (MER) fall, :43 SCS 42-0
285: No. 1 Jacob Kahnke (S) def. No. 7 Fred Hale (M) fall, 3:22 SCS 48-0

Mercyhurst 28 vs. Colorado Mesa 9:
 
125: Ryan Bohince (MER) def. Parke Overmiller (CMU) 19-10 MER 4-0
133: Kody Young (MER) def. Tyler Nelson (CMU) 4-2 MER 7-0
141: James Martinez (CMU) def. Levi Smeltzer (MER) fall, 2:42 MER 7-6
149: Michael Griffith (MER) def. Trevor Donarski (CMU) 16-4 MER 11-6
157: No. 3 Jordan Shields (MER) def. Jon Gappmaier (CMU) 8-0 MER 15-6
165: Josh Shields (MER) def. No. 4 Dylan Granard (CMU) 6-0 MER 18-6
174: August Mizia (MER) def. Zak Slotten (CMU) 3-2, ot MER 21-6
184: Michael Pollard (MER) def. Nick Petersen (CMU) 6-4 MER 24-6
197: Jordan Passehl (CMU) def. Seth Stonis (MER) 8-4 MER 24-9
285: No. 7 Fred Hale (MER) def. Paco Retana (CMU) 9-0 MER 28-9