Bald Eagles Host Cradle Gear Invite Sunday
LOCK HAVEN – The Lock Haven University wrestling team is set to host the 2013 Cradle Gear Invitational on Sunday, Dec. 29.
The 2013 Cradle Gear tournament field features 10 teams including No. 22 Bloomsburg. Highlighting the field is nearly a dozen wrestlers currently ranked in the Amateur Wrestling News (AWN) rankings.
Schedule:
9 a.m. First Round 12 p.m.
Quarterfinals 3 p.m.
Semifinals 6 p.m
Finals *schedule is tentative and subject to change once registration is closed the bracket is set.
Teams
Lock Haven, No. 22 Bloomsburg, Old Dominion, Gardner-Webb, George Mason, Buffalo, Binghamton, Franklin & Marshall, Michigan State and Bucknell.
What to watch for: Fans will want to keep an eye on the 141-pound weight class, as it features three nationally-ranked wrestlers. Leading the way is No. 5 Richard Durso of Franklin & Marshall. Durso, the 2013 Mat Town Open champion advanced to the Round of 12 year at the NCAA Championship last year. He’s joined by No. 9 Chris Mecate (Old Dominion) and Lock Haven’s Dan Neff, ranked 20th. Both Mecate and Neff are returning national qualifiers.
A trio of nationally-ranked wrestlers is also set to battle at 285. Leading the way is No. 8 Mike McClure of Michigan State. Joining McClure is No. 17 Joe Stolfi (Bucknell) and No. 19 Justin Grant (Bloomsburg). No. 15 Fred Garcia (Lock Haven) and No. 17 John Rizqallah (Michigan State) will pace the 184-pound weight class.
Ticket Prices:
Adults $10
Senior Citizens $5
Students $3
LHU students with Student ID – FREE
Childeren (under 5) – Free
The Bald Eagles outlook: Lock Haven will be sending 22 athletes to the mats on Sunday including all 10 wrestlers who started in the recent narrow Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) loss to No. 22 Bloomsburg.
Dan Neff, Mac Maldarelli, Jake Kemerer and Fred Garcia all won for Lock Haven in the loss to the Huskies. Maldarelli and Neff both continued their recent hot streaks against Bloom. Maldarelli pinned Bloomsburg’s Kurtis Becker in 4.55 for his sixth straight win. Last week Maldarelli was named the EWL Athlete of the Week after going 5-0 on the way to the 149-pound title at the Cleveland State Open on December 14. Maldarelli’s 19 wins are a team-best this season.
Neff returned to the lineup at the CSU Open and took third. Neff started the tournament 1-1, but then rattled off six straight wins to finish third at 141. His win in the dual vs. Bloomsburg was his seventh straight.
Following Sunday’s tournament, Lock Haven returns to action on Saturday, January 4 when the Bald Eagles travel to former EWL-rival West Virginia for a 7 p.m. match.
