LHU’s Neff, Sprenkle Headed to Big Apple
LOCK HAVEN – Redshirt-seniors Dan Neff (Quarryville, Pa./Solanco) and Phil Sprenkle (Seven Valleys, Pa./Dallastown) of the Lock Haven University wrestling team are set to compete at the 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships running Thursday through Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Setting the stage:
Neff is the No. 15 seed at 149 pounds and is making his fourth consecutive trip to the National Tournament. He was an All-American last season, finishing eighth at 149 pounds in St. Louis.
Sprenkle (197 pounds) is set for his debut at the NCAA Tournament.
First Round opponents:
149: #15 Dan Neff (26-8) vs. Victor Lopez (Bucknell, 28-12)
197: Phil Sprenkle (18-7) vs. #8 Aaron Studebaker (Nebraska, 21-9).
The schedule:
Thursday March 17, 12 p.m. – Session 1 (pigtails, first round)
Thursday, March 17, 7 p.m. – Session 2 (wrestleback prelims, second round)
Friday, March 18, 11 a.m. – Session 3 (quarterfinals, wrestle backs)
Friday, March 18, 8 p.m. – Session 4 (semifinals, wrestle backs)
Saturday, March 19, 11 a.m. – Session 5 (3rd, 5th & 7th)
Saturday, March 19, 8 p.m. – Session 6 (finals)
Television Information:
Once again, ESPN will cover every sessions and every match at the 2016 NCAA Championships. Session 1, 2, 3 and 5 will be televised live on ESPNU. Friday night’s semifinals and Saturday’s finals will be televised live on ESPN. Every session, mat and match will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
Notes:
Redshirt-senior Dan Neff (Quarryville, Pa./Solanco) – 4x NCAA Tournament qualifier … 2015 All-American (8th at 149 pounds) … 26-8 on the season (109-44 career) … 2016 EWL Champion (LHU’s first EWL champion since 2010) … Named 2016 EWL Most Outstanding Wrestler … 6-7 all-time at the NCAA Tournament … (competed at 141 pounds at NCAA Tournament in 2014 & ’13) … Neff is 19-0 since returning to 149 pounds on December 17, 2015 (started this season down at 141) …2013 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Freshman of the Year … 2011 Pennsylvania High School AAA State Champion.
Redshirt-senior Phil Sprenkle (Seven Valleys, Pa./Dallastown)– making NCAA Tournament debut … was third at 2016 EWL Championships … 18-7 on the season … 72-44 career record … 2x National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-American … Second at 2014 EWL Championships … 2010 Pennsylvania High School place-winner, fourth & seventh in 2011.
NCAA Championship history:
Last season, Dan Neff become Lock Haven’s 39th All-American and first since Obe Blanc in 2007. Lock Haven, better known as Mat Town USA is home to nine individual National Champions including two-time champion Cary Kolat (1996 and 1997) and three-time champ Gray Simons (1960, ’61 & ’62). The Bald Eagles finished fifth (54 points) at the 1997 NCAA Championships (at Northern Iowa) behind five All-American performances (1. Iowa, 2. Oklahoma State, 3. Minnesota, 4. Iowa State, 5. Lock Haven).
