Louisville, Ky. - Mercyhurst Wrestling looked for some redemption after dropping both of the matches in the NWCA National Duals yesterday and did so, going 1-1 on Saturday. The team dropped their match against #8 Augustana (SD) 22-18 before a dominant 32-17 win over #17 Ashland to round out their weekend.

The Lakers won five matches against Augustana with Eric Bartos at 133, Jake Niffenegger at 141, Dillon Walker at 174, Luke McGonigal at 197, and Hunter Harnish at 285 each getting the win. Bartos and Niffenegger got things started off with a bang as Bartos won by a tech fall while Niffenegger's win came via a 19-6 major decision to put the Lakers ahead 9-4. 

Walker, McGonigal, and Harnish each had to help and try make up some ground after three losses at 149, 157, and 165. The trio performed well, all winning via decisions, but that was not enough to help Mercyhurst pull out the win. Harnish's matchup proved to be the toughest of the match as he faced Steven Hajas who is currently ranked sixth per InterMat Wrestling, making the win for the Laker heavyweight that much sweeter.

Mercyhurst ended on a high note as they were able to defeat Ashland in convincing fashion. The two teams met up earlier in the season in the Laker's home opener with Coach Wehler's crew getting the better of the matchup that time around in a tightly contested 19-14 match. This one ended up yielding the same result as the Lakers bested the Eagles once again. Billy Smith started off the action with a 3-1 decision over Ashland's Tyler Masters. He was followed by Bartos who got his second tech fall win of the day with this one coming over Jeremiah Mckee. Alexander Samson kept the ball rolling for Mercyhurst with a third straight win to open the match as he won at 141 to put the Lakers in a lead they would never relinquish.

Mercyhurst returns home for their next match as they are set to compete against cross-town rivals ninth-ranked Gannon in their next matchup. The two teams wrestle on Friday, January 13th, at 7:00 p.m. inside the Highmark Events Center at Gannon.