LHU Men’s Wrestling eyes another MAC showdown Thursday; Bald Eagles to host Mat-Town Open II Sunday
LOCK HAVEN – The Lock Haven men’s wrestling team is in the final stages of the 2024-25 regular season and the Bald Eagles are set for a busy stretch with the postseason on the horizon.
The Bald Eagles will open this week’s action with a Mid-American Conference (MAC) dual on Thursday, Feb. 13 vs. Cleveland State (2-7, 2-5 MAC). The match will be held at Franklin High School in Franklin, Pennsylvania and will start at 7 p.m.
Lock Haven is riding an eight-match win streak and the Bald Eagles are a perfect 5-0 in MAC duals. Overall, The Haven is 12-5 on the season and the 12 wins are the most since Lock Haven finished the 2017-18 season at 12-4.
On Sunday, Feb. 16, Lock Haven will host the annual Mat-Town Open II Tournament. Action set for a 9:30 a.m. start on Sunday in Thomas Fieldhouse. Visit GoLHU.com for live coverage options for the dual Thursday vs. Cleveland State and Sunday’s tournament action at home.
The Haven lineup features seven nationally-ranked wrestlers.
Nationally-Ranked Bald Eagles (NCAA Coaches’ Ranking (Jan. 23)):
133: Anthony Noto, #16
141: Wyatt Henson, #17
149: Lucas Kapusta, #32
174: Avery Bassett, #31
184: Colin Fegley, #23
197: Tucker Hogan, #27
285: Gavin Hoffman, #17
Headlining the MAC:
Lock Haven remains the top-ranked team in the MAC and the Bald Eagles are the only team in the conference to remain unbeaten in league duals. On the season, The Haven has also taken home seven MAC East Wrestler of the Week Awards. Most recently, and earlier this week, Nick Stampoulos was honored with the award.
Five different Lock Haven wrestlers have accounted for the seven weekly awards including Wyatt Henson who has been named MAC East Wrestler of the Week three times this season.
2024-25 MAC East Athlete of the Week Award Winners:
– Feb. 11: Nick Stampoulos
– Jan. 21: Wyatt Henson
– Jan. 7: Wyatt Henson
– Dec. 10 Lucas Kapusta
– Nov. 26: Tucker Hogan
– Nov. 12 Colin Fegley
– Nov. 5 Wyatt Henson
Lock Haven’s Projected Dual Lineup:
125: Branden Wentzel, R-Fr., Montoursville, Pa./Penn State, 1-4
133: #16 Anthony Noto, R-Sr., Lima, N.Y./ Honeoye Falls-Lima, 15-6
141: #17 Wyatt Henson, R-Jr., Waynesburg, Pa./Waynesburg, 20-4
149: #32 Lucas Kapusta, R-Fr., Jeanette, Pa./Hempfield, 18-8
157: Nick Stampoulos, R-So., Kenilworth, N.Y./Buffalo, 22-11
165: Caden Dobbins, R-So., York, Pa./Dallastown, 10-14
174: #31 Avery Bassett, Sr., Middleburg, Pa./Midd-West, 15-7
184: #23 Colin Fegley, R-Sr., Mahanoy, Pa./Mahanoy, 16-8
197: #27 Tucker Hogan, Fr. Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone, 18-5
285: #17 Gavin Hoffman, Grad., Montoursville, Pa./Ohio State, 14-2 // Ethan Miller, Jr., York, Pa./Central York, 6-14
Cleveland State’s Projected Dual Lineup:
125: Ben Aranda
133: Jake Manley / Nick Molchak
141: Ethan Mitchell / Canyon Wells
149: AJ Parish / Conner Saylor
157: Douglas Terry
165: Tate Geiser
174: Ronald Dimmerling
184: JR Reed
197: Joey Lyons / Xander Myers
285: #28 Daniel Bucknavich / Shane Cook
*Ranking = NCAA Coaches’ Ranking (Jan. 23)
Looking Ahead:
Lock Haven will close out the 2024-25 regular season at home in Thomas Fieldhouse on Thursday, Feb. 20 vs. Edinboro (7 p.m.). On the season, the Bald Eagles are a perfect 5-0 at home.
