LHU Wrestling Goes 2-0 in Phoenix
PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Lock Haven University wrestling team picked up a pair of wins tonight in Phoenix, Arizona. Lock Haven beat Embry-Riddle (Arizona), 40-9 and took down host Grand Canyon University, 16-15 in a thriller that came down to the final bout.
Lock Haven moves to 6-5 on the season and has now won four straight dual matches.
Bobby Rehm (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor), Dan Neff (Quarryville, Pa./Solanco), Aaron McKinney(McDonald, Pa./West Allegheny, Tyler Wood (West Chester, Pa./West Chester-Rustin) and Tristan Sponseller (East Berlin, Pa./Bermudian Springs) all went 2-0 on the night.
The Bald Eagles got off to a strong start tonight, winning the first five bouts versus Embry-Riddle. In all, Lock Haven won eight of 10 matches vs. the ERU Eagles, including three pins.
After five bouts Lock Haven led 22-0 and The Haven rolled from there.
LHU got pins from McKinney, Sponseller and Adam Mackie (Bechtelsville, Pa./Brandywine Heights), while Rehm and Neff both recorded tech falls.
Lock Haven won five bouts in the narrow 16-15 win over Grand Canyon.
Sponseller’s major decision at 184 and normal 174-pounder Travis Moyer’s (Orwigsburg, Pa./Blue Mountain) gutsy performance at heavyweight (he avoided surrendering bonus points) were the difference in the match, and keys to Lock Haven’s victory.
Grand Canyon (4-10) topped Embry-Riddle (2-6) 41-0 to cap the tri-match action tonight.
Since returning to 149 pounds on December 17, Neff has gone a perfect 9-0. He was an All-American at 149 last season.
The 2-0 days were also special for Neff, Rehm and McKinney, who all moved closer to joining LHU’s 100-win club. Neff leads the way with 99 career wins, while Rehm has 98 and McKinney has 91.
Both Rehm (133) and Neff (149) entered today’s action nationally ranked this week by WrestlingReport.com. Rehm check in at No. 30 and Neff was ranked No. 29.
The Bald Eagles will return to action on Saturday, January 6 at 3 p.m. when they head to Rider for Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) action.
Lock Haven 40 – Embry-Riddle (Arizona) 9
125: David Sheesley (LHU) dec. Chandler Strand (ERU) 11-9; LHU leads 3-0
133: Bobby Rehm (LHU) tech fall Christopher Ornelas (ERU) 17-0 (3:27); LHU leads 8-0
141: Joe Ghione (LHU) dec. Andrew Burr (ERU) 6-1; LHU leads 11-0
149: Dan Neff (LHU) tech fall Anton King (ERU) 18-3 (1:53); LHU leads 16-0
157: Aaron McKinney (LHU) pinned Dylan Passalaqua (ERU) 1:00; LHU leads 22-0
165: Brenn Schiess (ERU) dec. Cody Cordes (LHU) 12-8; LHU leads 22-3
174: Tyler Wood (LHU) wins by forfeit; LHU leads 28-3
184: Tristan Sponseller (LHU) pinned Kolby Mays (ERU) 1:23; LHU leads 34-3
197: Adam Mackie (LHU) pinned Brett Przekop (ERU) 1:28; LHU leads 40-3
285: David Rupp (ERU) wins by forfeit; LHU wins 40-9
Lock Haven 16 – Grand Canyon 15
125: Trayton Libolt (GCU) dec. Jake Field (LHU) 6-5; GCU leads 3-0
133: Bobby Rehm (LHU) dec. Jauquin Olivas (GCU) 14-7; Tied 3-3
141: Uzo Owuama (GCU) dec. Cody Wheeler (LHU) 3-1; GCU leads 6-3
149: Dan Neff (LHU) dec. Blake Monty (GCU) 6-2; Tied 6-6
157: Aaron McKinney (LHU) dec. Zack Velasquez (GCU) 8-3; LHU leads 9-6
165: Casey Larson (GCU) dec. Kyle Hammond (LHU) 8-6; Tied 9-9
174: Tyler Wood (LHU) dec. Kenny Moore (GCU) 4-0; LHU leads 12-9
184: Tristan Sponseller (LHU) major dec. Austin Trujilo (GCU) 11-3; LHU leads 16-9
197: Austin Gaun (GCU) dec. Adam Mackie (LHU) 8-3; LHU leads 16-12
285: Daniel Chaid (GCU) dec. Travis Moyer (LHU) 11-4; LHU wins 16-15
