Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst wrestling gets back out on the mat one final time before the month of January comes to a close with a pair of matches on the week. The team will be back within their friendly confines for the first time since their season opener when they welcome Kutztown to Erie on Friday, January 26th, a 7:00 p.m. before East Stroudsburg comes to town the following day.
A Look Back
Mercyhurst wrestled in a trio of matches this past weekend at Shippensburg in the Shippensburg Duals. They started their time off with the Raiders with the Lakers coming away with a 41-2 win for their largest margin of victory this season and their largest win since a 46-0 decision over Shippensburg in the 2021-22 campaign. They followed that up with another convincing win over Frostburg State in which Mercyhurst won 38-10 before taking on ranked Millersville. The Marauders fell behind in the early going, but bounced back with a major decision at 133 before the two teams went back-and-forth. It was not until Trever Begin's pinfall at 197 that Mercyhurst claimed the momentum, helping secure the 27-16 win.
Three-Headed Attack
There were a number of stellar performances for the Lakers in their matchups this past weekend, but three that stood out were Max Stedeford, Dillon Walker, and Trever Begin. Walker and Begin each came away with a win via a major decision, a tech fall, and a pinfall win while Stedeford has a tech fall to go along with two major decisions during Saturday's contests, making for a day they each will not soon forget. The efforts of the three Lakers are a source of confidence going forward for the team knowing that the middle of their lineup is secured and looks for more success going forward.
Scouting Kutztown
The Golden Bears have won their lone two duals so far this season, defeating Shippensburg 33-18 after a 34-15 win over Seton Hill and currently sit in 23rd per the NWCA. In their last event the team ended going to the Fairmont State Invitational on January 6th where they claimed first place with three different grapples winning their weight classes. The Golden Bears currently have two wrestlers ranked per the NWCA in Dalton Gimbor at 165 and Matt Weinberg at 184. Both have amassed double-digit wins this year as Gimbor is 14-3 to this point while Weinberg is 11-0, making for some exciting matchups towards the end of the dual.
Scouting the Warriors
East Stroudsburg comes in receiving votes in the latest NWCA poll and is 3-2 to this point in the season. They have competed in just one competition since flipping the calendar over to 2024, hitting the mats for the Will Abele Invitational on January 13th in an event in which the team claimed two weight class crowns as reigning PSAC Wrestler of the Week Patrick Noonan and Layton Schmick both came out on top. Schmick has been a consistent threat during his freshman campaign at the back of the team's order as he checks in at 12th at 285 per the NWCA.
Next Event
The Lakers turn their attention to the month of February with Seton Hill first up on the docket. Mercyhurst hits the road for Greensburg, Pa. to see the Griffins on Saturday, February 3rd, in a 2:00 p.m. start time.
