Match Notes

ERIE, Pa. –The Mercyhurst College wrestling team heads back down to Johnstown, Pa. to compete against four regional opponents in the Super Region I Duals hosted by Pitt-Johnstown.  The Lakers will face Kutztown University at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan.20 before wrapping the weekend up with matches against Anderson University, Newberry College, and American International at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. respectively.

Heading into the regional dual the Lakers are ranked eighth in the nation with a 6-3 record winning their most recent match against Lake Erie College. 

Last season's win over Kutztown could have been one of the most exciting matches of the season.  Down 17-16 to the Golden Bears, Mercyhurst's Fred Hale won a 3-2 decision over Justin Grant giving the Lakers a 19-17 victory in the final bout of the night. 

This season Kutztown comes into the match with a 3-3 record, ranking sixth in the region.  The Golden Bears are 0-2 in their last two matches losing 35-3 to Division I Hofstra University in their most recent match.  Three grapplers represent the Golden Bears in the most recent regional poll.  Vinny Campanile, Kutztown's 197lb grappler ranks sixth and holds an 11-8 record thus far this season.  125-pounder Chris Sheetz is 0-1 this season and ranks fourth in the region while his teammate Evan Yenolevich ranks third in the region while going 10-5 at the 133lb class.

The Lakers will matchup against Anderson in their first match on Saturday, Mercyhurst owns a 6-0 record all-time against the Trojans.  Last season the Lakers rolled to a 40-6 win over Anderson winning eight-of-10 individual bouts.  The 9 a.m. meeting between the two teams will showcase three regionally ranked grapplers for Anderson.  Both Nick Giuliette (157lb) and Melchisedac LaVergne (141lb) are ranked sixth in their respective weight classes.  Giuliette holds a 12-5 record this season while LaVergne is 8-3.  Dan Telhada is 13-4 this season and is ranked fourth in the region at the 149lb class.

The No.2 and No.8 teams in the nation will collide at 1 p.m. on Saturday.  Newberry the nation's previous No.1 before losing to St.Cloud State is the regions No.1 ranked team.  Behind them is Mercyhurst, ranking as the No.2 team in the region.  The Wolves lead the all-time series between the two teams 3-2 after winning the previous three meetings.  Newberry is 10-1 this season with seven wins over top 20 teams.  Their most recent win came against Limestone College who ranks 10^th in the nation.

All 10 probable starters rank in the region for the Wolves which includes three grapplers who top their respective weight classes.  The Wolves also support six nationally ranked wrestlers.  Heavyweight Jake Elkins is ranked fourth in the nation and first in the region holding a 12-3 record this season.  Elkins was the Super Region I runner-up last season naming him a national qualifier.  The Wolves 184-pounder Mitchell Brown is 22-4 this season ranking him seventh in the nation and first in the region.  Travis Sheehy is 24-9 this season ranking seventh nationally and first in the region at the 174lb class. 

The Lakers will wrap up action against American International at 3 p.m. on Saturday.  The Yellow Jackets are 4-4 this season and split against two Division I foes in their most recent action.  American International beat Sacred Heart, 23-22 after losing to Boston University, 29-15.  The Lakers have faced the Yellow Jackets just once in program history, winning 47-0 in 2010. 

Pitt-Johnstown will provide results and live stats for the matches, click here.