LH wrestling rolls to pair of wins over George Mason and American
LOCK HAVEN, PA – Facing a busy Saturday of back-to-back road duals, the Lock Haven University men’s wrestling team (7-6, 4-1 MAC) toppled George Mason University (11-7, 2-3 MAC) in Mid-American Conference (MAC) action before steamrolling American University (7-9) in non-conference action.
Behind the pair of dual wins, the Bald Eagles stretched their winning streak to five in a row with just two duals remaining before the postseason.
In the day’s opening dual against George Mason, the Bald Eagles fell behind early 12-3, but responded in emphatic fashion to win five of the final six bouts and grab the 24-15 MAC win.
The Haven then capped their afternoon with a dominant 24-9 win over American University. LHU rolled out to a 12-0 lead in the opening four matches and never looked back, winning eight of ten bouts.
At the top of the Bald Eagle lineup, Anthony Noto (Lima, N.Y./Honeoye Falls-Lima (NC State)) and Gable Strickland (Benton, Pa./Benton) both notched 2-0 days. On the day, five total LHU wrestlers went a perfect 2-0.
Noto, the nation’s 11th-ranked 125-pounder, opened his day with a pin over George Mason’s JB Dragovich before closing his afternoon with a decision victory against American. Noto’s pin was the Bald Eagles only one on the day and came just 1:13 into the bout.
Ranked No. 31 in the latest NCAA Coaches’ Rankings, Strickland earned a major decision at 133 over Patrick Schellpfeffer in The Haven’s win over George Mason, and followed it up with a 5-1 decision over American’s Jack Maida.
Nick Stonecheck (Alpharetta, Ga./Buford High School) was one of the five Bald Eagles to post 2-0 records. The Haven’s 149-pounder notched a major decision against George Mason’s Nathan Higley and a decision victory in the Bald Eagles win over American.
No. 32 Avery Bassett (Middleburg, Pa./Midd-West (George Mason)), The Haven’s 165-pounder, notched a decision in his opening bout before securing a sudden victory win over American’s Caleb Campos after muscling his way to a takedown in the final minute.
Isaac Reid (Saltsburg, Pa./Kiski) rounded out The Haven’s 2-0 wrestlers at 285 pounds. He started off the day with a major decision victory over Donovan Sprouse of George Mason, and picked up 6-2 decision win in the dual against American.
The Bald Eagle quartet of Sean Logue (Philadelphia/Father Judge), Ashton Eyler (Millersburg, Ohio/Claymont High (Iowa Central CC)), Tyler Stoltzfus (Mifflinburg, Pa./Saint Joseph’s Academy), and Colin Fegley (Mahanoy, Pa./Mahanoy) all gathered 1-1 records on the day.
The Bald Eagles host Edinboro on Thursday,Feb. 16 in the MAC regular-season finale. That dual is slated for a 7 p.m. start in Thomas Fieldhouse.
Bout-by-Bout Results:
Lock Haven vs. George Mason
165: #32 So. Avery Bassett (LH) dec Drew Dickson, 3-2; LH 3-0
174: Logan Messer (22-5) dec Tyler Stoltzfus (LH), 12-8; Tied 3-3
184: Malachi DuVall (17-8) falls Colin Fegley (LH), (1:13); Mason leads 9-3
197: Jon List dec Brad Morrison (LH), 5-4; Mason leads 12-3
285: #33 Isaac Reid (LH) MD Donovan Sprouse, 19-7; Mason leads 12-7
125: #11 Anthony Noto (LH) fall JB Dragovich, (2:01), Lock Haven leads, 13-12
133: #31 Gable Strickland (LH) MD Patrick Schellpfeffer, 17-5; Lock Haven leads, 17-12
141: Anthony Glasl (14-12) dec Zack Zeamer, 3-1 SV-1; Lock Haven leads, 17-15
149: Nick Stonecheck (LH) MD Nathan Higley, 16-7; Lock Haven leads, 21-15
157: Ashton Eyler (LH) dec Peter Pappas, 6-3; Lock Haven 24-15
Final Team Score: Lock Haven 24 George Mason 15
Lock Haven vs. American
125: #11 Anthony Noto (LHU) dec. Maximilian Leete (AU) / 5-2 / LHU 3-0
133: #31 Gable Strickland (LHU) dec. Jack Maida (AU) / 5-1 / LHU 6-0
141: Sean Logue (LHU) dec. Elijah White (AU) / 6-1 / LHU 9-0
149: Nick Stonecheck (LHU) dec. Pat Ryan (AU) / 4-2 / LHU 12-0
157: Jack Nies (AU) dec. Ashton Eyler (LHU) / 4-3 / LHU 12-3
165: #32 Avery Bassett (LHU) dec. Caleb Campos (AU) / 3-1 / LHU 15-3
174: Tyler Stoltzfus (LHU) dec. Lucas White (AU) / 4-3 / LHU 18-3
184: Colin Fegley (LHU) dec. Colin Shannon (AU) / 6-2 / LHU 21-3
197: Connor Bourne (AU) medical forfeit Brad Morrison (LHU) / LHU 21-9
285: #33 Isaac Reid (LHU) dec. Will Jarrell (AU) / 6-2 / LHU 24-9
Final Team Score: Lock Haven 24 American 9
