Jan. 22, 2008

Erie, Pa. - The newest East Region wrestling poll has been released with the Mercyhurst wrestlers remaining fourth, and Brian Pogel and Andy Lamancusa earning the top spot in their individual weight classes.

Mercyhurst, ranked 16th in Division II, is coming off a 1-2 record against three top-eight teams at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals. The Lakers knocked off No. 7-ranked Ashland and nearly upset No. 2 Nebraska-Omaha and No. 8 Western State despite needing several wrestling to compete out of weight class.

In the team standings, the Lakers trail Pitt-Johnstown, Newberry and Gannon, but thanks to a strong strength of schedule that included five Division I opponents and four nationally ranked teams, the 4-8 Lakers remained ahead of 11-1 Limestone and Belmont Abbey.

Individually, Brian Pogel remains the top-ranked wrestler at 149 pounds after posting a 3-0 mark at the national duals and defeating the defending national champion and No. 1-ranked Todd Meneely of Nebraska-Omaha. Pogel, ranked fifth in the nation, leads the team with a 19-5 record.

Sophomore Andy Lamancusa, who started the year ranked No. 1 at 157 pounds and fell to No. 3 in the last poll but moved back into the top spot this week after winning his lone match at 157 pounds at the national duals.

Hudson Harrison remains No. 3 at 165 pounds and has a 16-6 record. At 197 pounds, junior Trevor Gallo continues to hold the No. 2 ranking. Red-shirt freshman Josh Shields, with a 16-6 record, is ranked second at 174 despite missing the national duals with an injury.

Bryan Wolff is ranked fourth at 184, Nathan Sharp is fifth at heavyweight and Payne Lint is fifth at 125 pounds.

Mercyhurst travels to the highly competitive East Coast Duals in Pembroke, N.C., for four duals on Friday and Saturday. Action begins at 6 p.m., Friday against the host, North Carolina-Pembroke.