Dec. 13, 2007

Erie, Pa. - On Friday in the Erie Civic Center, No. 13-ranked Mercyhurst and No. 20-ranked Gannon will square off in a nationally significant battle for War at the Shore bragging rights. The event, entering its third year, has seen a different winner each of the last two.

In 2006, Mercyhurst rolled to a 32-6 victory over Gannon, but the inaugural event, it was Gannon edging the Lakers 19-18. Since wrestling began at Mercyhurst in 2001, the series is deadlocked at three wins apiece.

This year's clash features 16 wrestlers--nine from Mercyhurst--ranked in the NCAA Division II East Region. At 157 pounds, Laker sophomore Andy Lamancusa is ranked No. 1.

Lamancusa, also ranked sixth in the nation, earned an 11-5 win over Zack McKendree a year ago, but McKendree moved up to 149 pounds this year and is ranked second in the region. He will take on Don Cummings from Mercyhurst, who missed last year's event and is looking for redemption after a 17-8 loss in 2005.

Sliding into the 157-pound slot to wrestle Lamancusa is likely Brandon Monin. Monin did not appear in the event last season, but is ranked third in the region this year. Lamancusa and Monin met at the Simonson Invitational on Dec. 1, and it was Lamancusa that earned a 3-1 victory.

At 174 pounds, Mercyhurst red-shirt freshman Josh Shields and Gannon's A.J. Sayles are familiar foes, having met twice this season in highly competitive matches. Shields is ranked third in the region, while Sayles is sixth. Sayles bested Shields 3-2 in the National Catholic Invitational, but in the Simonson Invitational title bout, Shields won 5-4 in first tiebreaker.

Other probable Mercyhurst wrestlers include junior Payne Lint at 125 pounds, who defeated Scott Baron 20-2 in last year's event. Freshman 133-pounder Lance Pitcel will get his first taste of the rivalry, as well.

At 141, the Lakers will send out Braxdon Scaletta, who is ranked sixth int he region. Senior Hudson Harrison will represent the Lakers at 165 pounds and puts his six-match winning streak on the line.

Junior Trevor Gallo returns to 197 pounds, where he earned a win at the War at the Shore in 2005. Last season, Gallo wrestled at 184 pounds, where he fell to Pino Scavella. Scavella is back at 184 but will face Laker newcomer Brian Wolff, who is ranked fourth in the region; one spot ahead of Scavella.

The heavyweight class pits Kenny Bluska of Mercyhurst against Gannon's Frank McGrath. Bluska is 7-1 this season and earned a 3-0 win over Tim Smeal a year ago. McGrath and Bluska have met twice this season with McGrath winning the first meeting for the National Catholic Invitational title, and Bluska gaining the upper hand in the Simonson Invitational title bout by a 3-2 score.

The match is scheduled for 8 p.m., and will be broadcast live on Image Sports. On the call will be former Laker head coach Tony Cipollone. Tickets for the event can be purchased at the door for $10.