LOUISVILLE, KY – The grapplers of the Mercyhurst University Wrestling team opened up play in the new year on Thursday during the first day of the NWCA National Dual Meet Championships.
Mercyhurst saw themselves matched with No. 15 Colorado Mesa in the first round of the NCAA Division II bracket. Alexis Soriano and Jacob Robb both pinned their opponents adding six points each to the Mercyhurst team total, however it was not enough as the Mavericks came away with a 26-19 first round victory.
Dillon Walker and
Luke McGonigal also added wins against Mesa. The Freshman Walker won by major decision in his first match of the day against Seth Lantham and McGonigal won via a 6-2 decision over his opponent at 184.
In the first round of the consolation bracket the Lakers found themselves matched up with another ranked opponent in No. 9 Findlay.
Eric Bartos won his first bout of the day to give Mercyhurst their first points of the contest when he pinned Ashton Anderson at the 5:08 mark. Alex Samson added three points picking up a 4-0 decision over Chase Moore.
Mercyhurst found themselves down 6-9 on the team scoreboard before Walker, McGonigal,
Hunter Harnish, and Robb all won their bouts to give Mercyhurst the 25-12 victory. McGonigal and Walker both won via decision while Harnish and Robb picked up tech falls for the Lakers.
The Lakers faced their third ranked opponent of the day in the University of Indianapolis. Mercyhurst earned six points due to a forfeit and never looked back as they cruised to an impressive 38 to 9 victory over the number eight team in the country.
Hunter Harnish and
Max Stedeford each had impressive victories by pin in the contest, and Soriano along with Walker each picked up major decisions for Mercyhurst.
Eric Bartos chipped in by defeating Breyden Bailey in overtime by decision, and
Jacob Robb picked up his third win of the day by decision as well.
The Lakers will return to the Kentucky International Convention Center tomorrow to continue on in the consolation bracket, their opening match is slated for 9:00 a.m.
Colorado Mesa defeated Mercyhurst 26-19
- 125 - Cian Apple (Colorado Mesa ) over Jacob Ruggeri (Mercyhurst) Fall 1:37
- 133 - Collin Metzgar (Colorado Mesa ) over Eric Bartos (Mercyhurst) Dec 10-7
- 141 - Alexis Soriano (Mercyhurst) over Erik Contreras (Colorado Mesa ) Fall 6:55
- 149 - Nick Gallegos (Colorado Mesa ) over Alex Samson (Mercyhurst) Maj 15-5
- 157 - Ariel Rodriguez (Colorado Mesa ) over Vinny Catanzaro (Mercyhurst) Dec 11-4
- 165 - Alexander Holguin (Colorado Mesa ) over Max Stedeford (Mercyhurst) Maj 20-8
- 174 - Dillon Walker (Mercyhurst) over Seth Latham (Colorado Mesa ) Maj 10-2
- 184 - Luke McGonigal (Mercyhurst) over Jason Bynarowicz (Colorado Mesa ) Dec 6-2
- 197 - Donald Negus (Colorado Mesa ) over Hunter Harnish (Mercyhurst) Fall 5:57
- 285 - Jacob Robb (Mercyhurst) over Gabriel Carranza (Colorado Mesa ) Fall 1:58
Mercyhurst defeated Findlay 25-12
- 125 - Nicholas Korhorn (Findlay) over Jacob Ruggeri (Mercyhurst) Dec 3-2
- 133 - Eric Bartos (Mercyhurst) over Ashton Anderson (Findlay) Fall 5:08
- 141 - Branson Proudlock (Findlay) over Alexis Soriano (Mercyhurst) Dec 7-4
- 149 - Alex Samson (Mercyhurst) over Chase Moore (Findlay) Dec 4-0
- 157 - Alex Epstein (Findlay) over Vinny Catanzaro (Mercyhurst) Dec 6-1
- 165 - Justin West (Findlay) over Max Stedeford (Mercyhurst) Dec 4-2
- 174 - Dillon Walker (Mercyhurst) over Hunter Reed (Findlay) Dec 9-2
- 184 - Luke McGonigal (Mercyhurst) over Mark Trifelos (Findlay) Dec 7-1
- 197 - Hunter Harnish (Mercyhurst) over Jacob Charette (Findlay) TF 16-1
- 285 - Jacob Robb (Mercyhurst) over Keigan Yuhas (Findlay) TF 17-0
Mercyhurst defeated Indianapolis 38-9
- 125 - Jacob Ruggeri (Mercyhurst) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
- 133 - Eric Bartos (Mercyhurst) over Breyden Bailey (Indianapolis) SV-1 6-4
- 141 - Alexis Soriano (Mercyhurst) over Nick Varanelli (Indianapolis) Maj 14-3
- 149 - Logan Bailey (Indianapolis) over Alex Samson (Mercyhurst) Fall 4:29
- 157 - Dawson Combest (Indianapolis) over Vinny Catanzaro (Mercyhurst) Maj 11-0
- 165 - Max Stedeford (Mercyhurst) over Wade Monebrake (Indianapolis) Fall 1:59
- 174 - Dillon Walker (Mercyhurst) over Owen Butler (Indianapolis) Maj 15-2
- 184 - Luke McGonigal (Mercyhurst) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
- 197 - Hunter Harnish (Mercyhurst) over Aidan Petersen (Indianapolis) Fall 4:19
- 285 - Jacob Robb (Mercyhurst) over Dennis Hubbard (Indianapolis) Dec 3-0
- Indianapolis's team score was adjusted by -1.0 for Unsportsmanlike 133
