Nov. 29, 2007

West Liberty, W.Va. - Trailing 9-0 after three matches, the Mercyhurst Lakers stormed back against homestanding West Liberty, sweeping the final seven bouts in convincing fashion to give first-year head coach Mike Wehler a dual meet victory over his former program.

Wehler, who came to Mercyhurst this summer after three years at West Liberty, orchestrated a 25-13 in over the Lakers as coach of West Liberty in 2006. But in 2007, the roles were reversed and Mercyhurst--with 31-straight points to close the match--earned its first dual victory of the season to improve 1-3.

Mercyhurst's 174-pound red-shirt freshman Josh Shields pulled off the night's biggest win by upsetting Chris Gibbs, who entered the match ranked No. 2 in Division II, by a 4-3 score.

The Laker's two nationally ranked wrestlers, however, solidified their rankings, as third-ranked Don Cummings, wrestling at 149 pounds, pinned Kayne Melko. It was Cummings' team-leading third fall and tied him with Shields for a team-best ninth win of the year. Sophomore Andy Lamancusa, the nation's fourth-ranked wrestler at 157, earned a 15-6 major decision over Brian Leggett.

Junior 184-pounder Bryan Wolff also registered his second fall of the year, pinning J.D. Ramsey in 4:25. Freshman heavyweight Nathan Sharp chalked up the first pin of his career, as well. Hudson Harrison at 165 pounds and Trevor Gallo at 197 pounds also tallied victories for the Lakers.

Two of West Liberty's three wins were by just one point, and both of those wrestlers, Matt Mosser at 133 and Doug Surra at 141, were ranked nationally. Freshman Lance Pitcel nearly knocked off Mosser, but fell 5-4. Braxdon Scaletta was edged 3-2 by Surra.

At 125 pounds, West Liberty's Lucas Huffman defeated Payne Lint 3-0.

The Lakers return to tournament action on Saturday, Dec. 1 with a trip to the Simonson Invitational hosted by Ashland University.

COMPLETE RESULTS
125 - Lucas Huffman (WL) def. Payne Lint (MC), 3-0
133 - #6 Matt Mosser (WL) def. Lance Pitcel (MC), 5-4
141 - #3 Doug Surra (WL) def. Braxdon Scaletta (MC), 3-2
149 - #3 Don Cummings (MC) def. Kayne Melko (WL), Fall
157 - #4 Andy Lamancusa (MC) def. Brian Legget (WL), 15-6 MD
165 - Hudson Harrison (MC) def. Brandon Neifield (WL), 6-1
174 - Josh Shields (MC) def. #2 Chris Gibbs (WL), 4-3
184 - Bryan Wolff (MC) def. J.D. Ramsey (WL), Fall - 4:25
197 - Trevor Gallo (MC) def. Mitch Knapp (WL), 6-5
HWT - Nathan Sharp (MC) def. Kevin Staub (WL), Fall