Laker Wrestlers Move Up in East Region Standings - MERCYHURST COLLEGE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Dec. 5, 2007

Erie, Pa. - After a solid start to the season that included team championships at the National Catholic Invitational and the Simonson Invitational, the Mercyhurst wrestling team moved up from fourth in the Division II East Region preseason rankings to third in the December poll.

The selections, voted on by a committee of East Region coaches, also moved several Laker individuals into the rankings, bringing the team's total to nine wrestlers ranked in the 10 weight classes.

Holding down his spot as the region's No. 1-ranked wrestler was 157-pound Andy Lamancusa, who has started the year with a 6-6 record and garnered a 2nd-place finish at the National Catholic Invitational.

At 197 pounds, Trevor Gallo, with a 9-6 mark, held steady at No. 3. Heavyweight Kenny Bluska jumped from No. 4 to No. 3 after opening the season with a 7-1 record that included a first-place finish at last weekend's Simonson Invitational. Junior Bryan Wolff, wrestling at 184, moved up from sixth to fourth, as well.

New to the rankings include 149-pound junior Brian Pogel. Pogel has a team-best record of 13-3 and won the Simonson Invitational a week ago, giving him his first career invitational crown.

Like Pogel, red-shirt freshman Josh Shields also went from unranked to third. The 174-pounder is tied for the team lead with 13 wins, has placed in the top four at three invitationals, earned a first-place finish at the Simonson Invitational and recently knocked off the nation's No. 2-ranked wrestler in West Liberty's Chris Gibbs.

Senior Hudson Harrison, 12-3 on the season at 165, was voted fourth. He has a 10-1 tournament record and first-place finishes at the National Catholic Invitational and at the Simonson Invitational.

Red-shirt junior Braxdon Scaletta earned a No. 6-ranking at 141 pounds, as well.

The only teams ranked ahead of Mercyhurst in the team poll are Newberry (No.2) and Pittsburgh-Johnstown (No. 1). Rival Gannon was pegged fifth, and the two teams tangle on Dec. 14 at the annual War at the Shore.