Bald Eagles Head to Bucknell Thursday Night
LOCK HAVEN – The Lock Haven University wrestling team is set for a busy week as the Bald Eagles hit the road for a pair of important duals.
LHU kicks off the week this Thursday at local-rival Buckell and Lock Haven hits the road again on Friday for an Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) match at George Mason. Both matches are set for a 7 p.m. start.
The Bald Eagles are coming off a 27-6 loss at Rider on Saturday. Despite the loss, 149-pounder Dan Neff made history, becoming the 17th Bald Eagle wrestler to earn his 100th LHU victory. Neff was joined the winner’s circle by 184-poudner Tristan Sponseller.
Lock Haven enters Thursday’s action with a 6-6 overall record and the EWL loss to Rider moved LHU to 1-1 in league action.
Bucknell is coming off a thrilling match with ninth-ranked Oklahoma. The Bison fell 23-21 in Lewisburg. Bucknell is 4-4 overall (1-1 EIWA).
LHU and Bucknell didn’t face off against each other last season, and the Bald Eagles won 19-13 during the 2013-14 season. Lock Haven has won two straight in the series and is 17-3 all-time vs. Bucknell.
George Mason dropped EWL matches to Cleveland State and Edinboro on Saturday. The Patriots are 5-7 overall and 1-2 in conference action.
The Bald Eagles are a perfect 9-0 all-time vs. George Mason. LHU won eight of 10 bouts a year ago on the way to a 31-6 victory.
Lock Haven’s probable lineup:
125: R-So. Jake Field (South Elgin, Ill./Marmion Academy) 11-13
– OR – R-Jr. David Sheesley (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg) 10-8
133: R-Sr. Bobby Rehm (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor) 18-8
141: R-Sr. Cody Wheeler (Towanda, Pa./Towanda) 4-6
– OR – So. Joe Ghione (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) 15-9
149: R-Sr. Dan Neff (Quarryville, Pa./Solanco) 17-8
157: R-Sr. Aaron McKinney (McDonald, Pa./West Allegheny) 20-12
165: Fr. Cody Cordes (Edwardsville, Pa./Wyoming Valley West) 15-14
174: R-Jr. Tyler Wood (West Chester, Pa./West Chester-Rustin) 15-11
184: R-Fr. Tristan Sponseller (East Berlin, Pa./Bermudian Springs) 19-9
197: R-Sr. Phil Sprenkle (Seven Valleys, Pa./Dallastown) 10-5
– OR – Jr. Adam Mackie (Bechtelsville, Pa./Brandywine Heights) 10-8
285: Jr. Brad Emerick (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Coughlin) 11-12
Neff makes history:
Despite the loss to Rider on Saturday (Jan. 16), returning All-American Dan Neff made history, becoming just the 17th member of LHU’s 100-win club. Neff (149) is 17-8 on the season and now 100-44 for his career.
The march toward 100:
Dan Neff isn’t alone as two of his teammates are quickly closing in on the win No. 100 as well. Fellow Lancaster County, Pennsylvania native Bobby Rehm is right on his heels with 98 career wins andAaron McKinney has 91.
Sponseller named EWL Athlete of the Week:
Last week (Tuesday, January 13), redshirt-freshman Tristan Sponseller was named this week’s EWL Athlete of the Week. Competing in Arizona last week, Sponseller picked up a pair of victories which helped the Bald Eagles go 2-0. In a 40-9 win over Embry-Riddle (Arizona), Sponseller pinned Kolby Mays just 1:23 into their bout at 184 pounds. Sponseller’s major decision (11-3) over Grand Canyon’s Austin Trugilo was the difference in Lock Haven’s thrilling 16-15 win over GCU.
Up next:
Following Friday’s match at George Mason, LHU returns to action on Friday, Jan. 29 at Clarion (7p.m., EWL). The Bald Eagles host Cleveland State (EWL) on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 1 p.m.
