LHU men’s wrestling opens 2023 MAC championships with strong effort, three in finals
FAIRFAX, VA – The Lock Haven University men’s wrestling team opened the first day of action at the 2023 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championships hosted by George Mason, and took the first step towards defending their 2022 title.
In the first session of the day, The Haven sent an incredible seven wrestlers to the evening’s semifinal bouts, and three advanced to the finals at their respective weights.
Anthony Noto (Lima, N.Y./Honeoye Falls-Lima (NC State)), Gable Strickland (Benton, Pa./Benton), Ashton Eyler (Millersburg, Ohio/ Claymont High (Iowa Central CC)), Avery Bassett (Middleburg, Pa./Midd-West (George Mason)), Tyler Stoltzfus (Mifflinburg, Pa./Saint Joseph’s Academy), Colin Fegley (Mahanoy, Pa./Mahanoy), and Isaac Reid (Saltsburg, Pa./Kiski) all punched their ticket to the evening semifinals, and the trio of Noto, Strickland and Eyler will all be in action tomorrow looking to bring home individual MAC titles.
The top seed in the MAC and the No. 10 wrestler at 125 pounds, Noto opened his day in style recording a first-period fall over Cleveland State’s Ben Aranda at the 2:03 mark. The reigning MAC champion then gathered two tight decision victories to advance and will put his belt on the line in tomorrow afternoon’s final against Jake Ferri of Kent State.
Another one of the Bald Eagle’s finalists came from Strickland, who entered as the top seed and the 30th ranked 133-pounder. After trailing in his opening bout, Strickland responded in style with a 7-6 decision followed by a pin over Ohio’s Gio DiSabato. In the semis, Strickland continued to impress with an 11-2 major decision victory over Aaron Schulist of SIU Edwardsville. In the 133-pound final, Strickland battles Rider’s Richie Koehler.
A 2022 runner-up at 165 pounds, Eyler powered his way to the 157 finals despite a No. 7 seeding. Eyler opened his day with a victory over the No. 2 seed in Ohio’s Peyton Keller 2-0, by way of a late escape and a riding time point. In the semis, Eyler opened up a 7-0 lead on Cleveland State’s Marcus Robinson and fended off a late comeback to win 10-6. Eyler will look to grab gold tomorrow against George Mason’s Peter Pappas.
With the semifinal win, Eyler locked himself in as a national-qualifier for the 2023 NCAA Division I Championships, his second-straight trip.
No. 31 Bassett, Stoltzfus, Fegley and No. 32 Reid each dropped their semifinal matchups after strong performances, and will look to propel The Haven to the team title in tomorrow’s wrestle backs.
At 174, Stoltzfus can lock his place up in the national tournament with a fourth-place finish.
At 141, 149 and 197 pounds, Sean Logue (Philadelphia/Father Judge), No. 33 Nick Stonecheck (Alpharetta, Ga./Buford High School) and Brad Morrison (Landisburg, Pa./West Perry)
each capped their tournaments, and will not be in action in tomorrow’s consolation bracket.
After the opening day of action, the Bald Eagles sit on top of the conference standings with 90 points.
The Road Ahead:
The Bald Eagles close out the final day of the 2023 MAC Championships tomorrow with their eyes locked on repeating their 2022 title. Action gets started 11:30 a.m. with the finals to follow at 3 p.m.
