The 20th-ranked Gannon University men’s wrestling team opened its dual meet season with a convincing 43-9 victory over East Stroudsburg Saturday and had three team members place at the Lake Erie Open on Sunday.
Against East Stroudsburg, Gannon’s Jacob Dunlop won the opening takedown and four back points in the first period against Jared Atlan, then added three takedowns in the second period for a 12-2 major decision at 125 pounds.
At 133 pounds, Austin Hertel pinned Gerhardt Reiter at 4 minutes, 34 seconds and at 141, Nick Young dropped an 8-3 decision to Dylan Nace.
At 149 pounds, Faris Messai notched Gannon’s second pin of the night, as he stopped Pierre Liciaga at 3:35 after a scoreless first period. Messai muscled through a double-leg attempt from Liciaga then caught him with an underhook and finished off the fall.
George McGuire collected Gannon’s third fall, stopping Marquan Payne at 3:16 of their 157-pound match. Payne came into the match ranked No. 5 in Super Region 1 at 165 pounds.
After Anthony Williamson was pinned at 174 pounds, Gannon’s Joel Leise pinned Ronnie Simmons at 1:17 of their 184-pound battle. Leise locked up a cradle and a headlock for four back points in the first minute. Leise reset on top, shifted to the other hip and secured a tight crossface cradle to record the first-period fall.
Freddie Nixon claimed the 197-pound win in a tight 2-1 decision over Nicholas Klinoff. A second-period escape from Klinoff tied the match 1-1. Nixon fought off a potential takedown to secure the close win.
In the 285-pound division, Gannon’s Keith Swartley stopped Cameron Kates at 2:44.
The Knights sent 18 wrestlers to the Lake Erie Open, and three finished among the top five in their respective weight class.
At 184 pounds, Luigi Yates went 2-1 to finish fourth while Alex Farenchack placed fifth with a 2-1 record at 157 pounds. Brad Nagy won one of his three matches to finish sixth at 157 pounds.
Other Gannon wrestlers who took part in the meet were Charles Maier (125 pounds, 1-2), Liam Babauta (133, 0-2), Abraham Guarriello (133, 2-2), Casey Vollmer (133, 0-2), Justo Hernandez (141 1-2), Mitchell Skleres (141, 0-2), Justice Jones (149, 4-2), Cameron Resch (149, 0-2), Owen Balas (157, 0-2), Nicolas Marsico (157, 0-2), Mike Kurelowech (157, 1-2), Giovanni Ciotti (165, 1-2), Jacob Kallenborn (165, 2-2), Gehrig Hutchison (197, 0-2) and Daniel Burkhart (285, 0-2).
KEEFER GREGOIRE
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