LHU Men’s Wrestling hosts Mat-Town Open II; Haven crowns three champs
LOCK HAVEN – The Lock Haven men’s wrestling team hosted the Mat-Town Open II Tournament today (Sunday, Feb. 16) in Thomas Fieldhouse. The late-season tournament featured over 150 wrestlers from 20-plus schools, and the action included 24 Bald Eagles, all of whom competed unattached.
Leading the way for The Haven was individual champions – Lucas Kapusta, Nick Stampoulos and nationally-ranked Avery Bassett.
Both Eric Alderfer and Cole Bartram finished second at their respective weight class to round out the Bald Eagles’ long list of impressive finishes.
Behind a 4-0 day, Kapusta claimed top honors in the 149B weight class. He had two tech falls, a pin and a major decision.
Stampoulos claimed gold in the 157B bracket, thanks to a perfect 4-0 day that included two tech falls, a pin and a major decision.
Bassett, ranked No. 27th nationally at 174 pounds, won the championship at 174 pounds after going 4-0 with a tech fall and two major decisions.
Alderfer was second in the 157A bracket. He was 3-1 on the day.
Bartram placed second at 184 pounds after going 2-1 with a tech fall.
Hunter Gould picked up four wins (4-1) including three tech falls and a major at 133, while Griff Walizer picked up three wins on the day in the 149B bracket. James Lledo had three wins including two pins and a tech at 174 to round out Lock Haven’s notable performances.
Today’s (Sunday, Feb. 16) action capped another busy week as the 2024-25 regular season winds down. On Thursday (Feb. 13), Lock Haven picked up another lopsided victory in Mid-American Conference (MAC) action, downing Cleveland State 28-14 to extend the Bald Eagles’ win streak to nine.
Lock Haven will close out the 2024-25 regular season at home in Thomas Fieldhouse on Thursday, Feb. 20 vs. Edinboro. The MAC dual is set for a 7 p.m. start.
The Bald Eagles will enter the final dual meet of the season with Edinboro (Feb. 20) with a 13-5 record. The 13 wins are the most in a season since Lock Haven won 17 (17-4) duals during the 2001-02 season. Lock Haven is also perfect in MAC duals this season with a 6-0 mark and the Bald Eagles have not lost at home this season (5-0).
