Oct. 28, 2007

Erie, Pa. - The No. 14-ranked Mercyhurst wrestling squad opened its 2007-08 campaign Sunday in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center with its annual Blue/Green Intrasquad Meet.

The meet was partially used by first-year head coach Mike Wehler to decide the starting lineup for the season-opening Avalon Duals at Edinboro, which begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3.

The first match of the day featured a pair of Laker newcomers. Boston University transfer Orey Hall and highly touted freshman Nathan Sharp squared off in the 285-pound class. Sharp earned a 4-2 win in that match, but later dropped a 3-1 decision to sophomore Mike Sullivan.

At 125 pounds, freshman Joe McCullough knocked off 2007 Division II East Region champ Payne Lint by a 3-1 count. The 133-pound class featured a pair of freshman in Lance Pitcel and Shawn Klemm. Pitcel used a reversal and a two-point near fall in the third period to earn a 12-9 decision.

Returner Braxdon Scaletta notched a 15-3 major decision over Dustin Caravaglia at 141 pounds.

Mercyhurst senior Don Cummings, the No. 1-ranked wrestler at 149 pounds in the East Region, was upset by junior Brian Pogel by an 8-5 score.

Mercyhurst's other No. 1-ranked wrestler, sophomore Andy Lamancusa, registered a 23-8 technical fall over Trevor Delahoy. At 174 pounds, red-shirt freshman Josh Shields recorded a fall at the 4:11 mark over freshman Chris Boyes.

The Lakers take on Edinboro at 1 p.m. on Saturday.