Bald Eagle Wrestlers Off to Strong Start at NCAA Tourney

CLEVELAND – Midway through the first round of the NCAA wrestling tournament, Lock Haven University finds itself in a tie for third place, based on a 3-1 early showing. Penn State meanwhile is in ninth place place.

For LHU, Kyle Shoop (34-13) lost pigtail match by a 12-2 score of Vincent Turk (14-8) of Iowa. Then the Bald Eagles won three bouts, all with bonus points:

At 149 pounds, No. 15 seed Ronnie Perry (29-3) took an 11-3 major decision over Cortlandt Schuyler (12-11) of Lehigh to move into tonight’s round two.

At 157 pounds, LHU’s Alex Klucker (26-9) trailed No. 15 seed John VanBrill (20-11) of Rutgers when Klucker picked up a fall in 4:20 for the win.

At 165 pounds, LHU’s Chance Marsteller (40-2) hit a six-point move in the final eight seconds of period two on the way to a 9-1 major win over Bryce Martin (15-9) of Indiana.

The three Bald Eagle wins gave LHU 7 team points, good for a third place tie with Michigan, Minnesota and North Carolina State. Iowa was on top with 10.5, followed by Ohio State with 9.5.

Penn State was in ninth place with 5 points. Corey Keener was pinned at 133 pounds, Nick Lee was pinned at 141 pounds. Winners were Zain Retherford and Jason Nolf, both by technical falls.