Wrestling falls to #9 Baldwin Wallace 23-9 in OAC opener

By Tim Glon

ADA — Ohio Northern fell in its Ohio Athletic Conference opener 23-9 to No. 9-ranked Baldwin Wallace on Tuesday night at the ONU Sports Center.

The Polar Bears (0-1 overall, 0-1 Ohio Athletic Conference) got decisions over ranked opponents from senior Gavin Nelson (Oregon/Clay) and Sophomore Nate Barcaskey (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) and were highly competitive in all 10 bouts against the nationally-ranked Yellow Jackets (6-0, 2-0).

"It was a hard-fought match against a nationally-ranked opponent," ONU head coach Ron Beaschler said. "We wrestled hard and were solid at every weight class. We battled hard in all 10 bouts with the No. 9-ranked team in the country. I am encouraged, but we need to keep working hard and keep improving as the season goes on."

Nelson got a second period takedown for all the points he would need in a 2-0 decision over No. 10-ranked Richie Burke at 157 pounds.

His win brought ONU within 11-6 after BW was deducted a team point for unsportsmalkine conduct after the bout.

Barcaskey got a pair of third-period take downs to rally for a 4-2 victory over No. 8-ranked Gabe Mahaney at Heavyweight to end the match on a positive note for ONU.

Sophomore John Shirkey (Erlanger, Ky./LaSalle) used three first period take downs and a third period take down to post a 9-6 decision over Charlie Nash at 133 pounds to tie the match at 3-3. 

The Polar Bears will return to action on Saturday when they host the 37th annual ONU Invitational in the ONU Sports Center Field House.

#9 Baldwin Wallace 23, Ohio Northern 9

125 — #4 Chris Doyle (BW) dec. Seth Transue, 11-7
133 — John Shirkey (ONU) dec. Charlie Nash, 9-6
141 — Aaron Kelly (BW) pinned Noah Mattin, 3:29
149 — Stanley Bleich (BW) dec. Alex Kowal, 11-6
157 — Gavin Nelson (ONU) dec. #10 Richie Burke, 2-0*
165 — #2 Anthony Arroyo (BW) Seth Meyer, 8-2
174 — #10 Justin Ransom (BW) dec. Clayton Davidson, 4-3 4OT
184 — Zeckary Lehman (BW) dec. Cash Thompson, 4-0
197 — Tyler Maclellan (BW) dec. Alex Bair, 5-3
285 — Nate Barcaskey (ONU) dec. #8 Gabe Mahaney, 4-2
* - Baldwin Wallace was deducted a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct after the 157-pound bout.