Match Notes

ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University wrestling team is set to take on No.14 Ashland University tonight, Friday, Feb.3 at 7 p.m. and Shippensburg University on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 1 p.m.  The two dual meets mark the last matches at home for the Lakers in the 2011-12 season.

The Mercyhurst mat men are 12-4 in dual meets this season, just one win away from matching last season's 13 win mark.  Currently there are five grapplers on the squad that have registered 20 wins or more on the season.  Freshman Kody Young leads the team in wins with 27.  That is just five wins away from breaking the freshman win mark set by Justin Mautz with 32.  The Brookville, Pa. native needs 12 more wins to match the all-time season wins mark set by three-time all-American Andy Lamancusa in 2010. 

Sophomore Michael Pollard has settled down in the 197lb class winning his past four-consecutive matches earning himself 22 wins on the season.  Pollard has recorded 10 falls this season giving him 28 in his career placing him fourth all-time. 

Freshman August Mizia has wrestled consistent in the 174lb slot during his rookie campaign.  Mizia totals 24 wins and just nine losses on the season.  Like Pollard, Mizia is on a four match win streak and holds a 9-1 record in his last 10 bouts. 

The success of sophomore Ryan Bohince and senior Fred Hale at the beginning and end of the lineup has helped the Lakers jump out to quick starts and reliable endings.  Bohince is 24-12 on the season and 11-5 in dual meets leading the team overwhelmingly in nearfall two's (27) and nearfall three's (27).  Bohince is 7-1 in his last eight bouts with four consecutive wins.  Teammate Hale has played the role of closer for the Lakers this season.  The Mentor, Ohio native is on a five-bout win streak helping him to an overall record of 24-6.  Mercyhurst's heavyweight has been steadfast wrestling to a 10-2 record in dual meets with one of those losses coming to a nationally ranked opponent. 

Ashland is 8-1-1 this season and will be the seventh nationally ranked opponent the Lakers face this season.  Against nationally ranked foes Mercyhurst owns a 2-4 record.  The Eagles are represented by two grapplers who rank in the nation in their respective classes.  Marc Hoff is the Eagles 149-pounder and currently owns a 10-2 overall mark.  In the Jan.25 national poll Hoff was ranked No.7.  Ashland's heavyweight Jacob Southwick is off to a 16-3 start earning him a No.3 ranking in the latest national poll. 

Shippensburg is 9-9 this season and is ranked eighth in the latest regional poll.  The Raiders are supported by three wrestlers in the regional rankings, leading the way is 174lb Luke Etter.  Etter is 10-6 overall this season and 10-5 in duals.  Cody Myers is ranked fourth in the 133lb class with a 14-2 overall and a perfect 13-0 record in duals.  Dan Estricher is the Raiders heavyweight grappler ranking fourth in the region.  Estricher is 10-3 overall this season and 2-2 in dual meets.

Live stats will be available for fans unable to attend.  For live stats against Ashland, click here.  Live stats for Shippensburg, click here.  Also, a live America One broadcast will be available for Saturday's action against Shippensburg, click here.