Nov. 2, 2007

Live Stats
Video Coverage of Mercyhurst vs. Edinboro

Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst College wrestling team opens its 2007-08 campaign on Saturday at the Fighting Scot Duals hosted by Edinboro University. The Lakers and the hosts open competition 1 p.m.

The Lakers enter the season ranked No. 14 in Division II and will face some stiff competition in the season's opening weekend. Edinboro is ranked No. 16 in the USA Today/InterMat/NWCA Division I Team Rankings after posting a 17-1 dual record last season.

Mercyhurst's is scheduled to wrestle Division I Maryland at 3 p.m., and the event will close with the Lakers squaring off against Army at 5 p.m. The Lakers will look to better their 2006 result of three losses.

The competition's name was recently change from the Avalon Duals to the Fighting Scot Duals and will now take place at Edinboro University's McComb Field House. Live results from all the matches will be posted on InterMat wrestling web site.

Wrestlingreport.com is also airing the Mercyhurst vs. Edinboro bout on its web site.

Mercyhurst enters this season under the direction of Mike Wehler, who came to the Lakers after three successful seasons at West Liberty State. He is just the second head coach in school history.

The Lakers, who finished second at the Division II East Region Championships a year ago, appear poised for another run with sophomore All-American Andy Lamancusa returning at 157 pounds. Lamancusa is the nation's No. 4-ranked wrestler.

Senior Don Cummings, at 149 pounds is ranked No. 3 in the nation in his weight class after winning the NCAA East Region last season.

One of the highlights of the weekend will be the match-up between Lamancusa and Edinboro junior Gregor Gillespie, who is the reigning national champion at 149 pounds. Gillespie, however, moves up to the 157-pound weight class and is still ranked No. 1 in the nation.

Also against Edinboro, Mercyhurst heavyweight Mike Sullivan will likely take on the nation's No. 9-ranked wrestler in Joe Fendone, who was 28-12 last season and is a two-time national qualifier.

Against Army, junior Payne Lint, Mercyhurst's 125-pound East Region champ will face Fernando Martinez, who is ranked No. 16 in Division I.

For more information on the weekend's event, visit the Fighting Scot Duals site.