LHU’s Perry in NCAA Semifinals, Marsteller to Consolations

CLEVELAND – Ronnie Perry (Christiana, Pa./Solanco) continued his story-book run through the NCAA championships Friday with a solid 7-4 win quarterfinal win at 149 pounds over former NCAA champion Jason Tsirtis of Arizona State. It was Perry’s second win over a seeded wrestler and put him in the Friday night semifinals against Maaththew Kolodzik of Princeton and guarantees him All-American honors in his senior season.

Perry had a first period takedown and gave up a late escape for a 2-1 lead. Tsirtis escaped in period two for a 2-2, but Perry used a slide-by for a 4-2 lead; it was 4-3 after another Tsirtis escape. Perry escaped for a 5-3 lead to start period three, picked up a counter-takedown for a 7-3 lead and surrendered a late escape for the 7-4 win.

Teammate Chance Marsteller (New Park, Pa./Kennard-Dale) did not fare as well, dominated on his feet by former NCAA champion and No 1 seed Isaiah Martinez of Illinois. Martinez had two takedowns in the first pound, four overall, in a 10-1 win. The loss put Marsteller into the third round of consolations later Friday.

Two more Bald Eagles, Corey Hazel and Thomas Haines are to wrestle consolation bouts Friday afternoon.

LHU sits in 13th place with 17 points midway through the quarterfinal round. Ohio State leads with 66 points, Iowa second with 45 and Penn State third with 44.5. Ohio State still has eight wrestlers in championship contention, Penn State next with seven.