Dec. 7, 2007

Edmond, Okla. - The Mercyhurst wrestling team climbed to No. 13 in the first regular season NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches' Association poll for the 2007-08 season. The Lakers were No. 14 in the preseason rankings.

Although Mercyhurst is just 1-3 in dual matches, the Lakers have impressed early under first year head coach Mike Wehler. All three of Mercyhurst's dual match losses came against NCAA Division I schools Edinboro, Maryland and Army in the Fighting Scot Duals. The Lakers are yet to be beaten by a Division II school in a tournament or dual match.

Mercyhurst won the National Catholic Invitational, defeating Division I schools Sacred Heart and Duquesne, as well as Division II No. 20 Gannon. The Lakers followed that up by placing eighth out of 10 teams at the Keystone Classic and were the only non-Division I school at the event. Mercyhurst beat both Boston University and Virginia Military Institute.

Following that result, the Lakers avenged a loss to West Liberty State a year ago by defeating the Hilltoppers 31-9. Mercyhurst then won the 17-team Simonson Invitational, hosted by Ashland, defeating Division II No. 10 Ashland and beating Gannon again.

In the individual national rankings, Mercyhurst had just one wrestler ranked among the top eight at his weight class. Sophomore Andy Lamancusa is ranked sixth at 157 pounds a year after placing sixth at the national championships as a freshman and being named an All-American. He is currently 6-6 on the year, placing second at the National Catholic Invitational and fourth at the Simonson Invitational.

Mercyhurst returns to action Friday, Dec. 14 when the Lakers wrestle rival Gannon at the Erie Civic Center during the third annual War At The Shore. The teams have split during the first two years at the War At The Shore with Mercyhurst picking up a 32-6 win a year ago. The match is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.