Jacob Thompson, Nate Barcaskey get pins, lead Wrestling to 27-16 victory at Manchester (Ind.)

By Matt Mangen

NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. — The Ohio Northern wrestling team won its first dual meet of the season as it defeated Manchester (Ind.) 28-16 Friday evening at the ONU Sports Center.

The Polar Bears improve to 1-2 on the season, while the Spartans fall to 1-2.

At 125 pounds, sophomore Seth Transue (Plain City/Dublin) got the Polar Bears off to a quick start with an 8-4 decision.

Manchester responded quickly with a first period pin at 133 pounds, a 17-6 major decision at 141 pounds and an exciting 15-9 decision at 149 pounds to take a 13-3 lead.

ONU stopped the streak at 157 pounds when senior Gavin Nelson (Oregon/Clay) won by major decision 15-2. ONU was down 13-7 at the midway point of the dual.

Senior Seth Meyer (Defiance) continued the roll at 165 pounds, as he won his match by a major decision 12-1 to draw the team score to 13-11.

Frashman Jacob Thompson (West Mansfield/Triad) gave the Polar Bears the lead back when he pinned his opponent in 3:48 at 174 pounds.

At 184 pounds, Alex Bair (Centerville) won by technical fall 17-2 in the first period.

The Spartans won by decision at 197 pounds to make the dual meet 20-16 in favor of the Polar Bears.

In the final bout of the night, sophomore heavyweight Nate Barcaskey (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) pinned his opponent in 2:35.

Ohio Northern will return to action December 18 at the Washington & Lee (Va.) Duals.

Ohio Northern 28, Manchester (Ind.) 16

125 — Seth Transue (ONU) dec Joshua Stepheson, 8-4
133 — Ben Cauffman (MU) pinned Derek Dolph, 2:50
141 — #15 Chase Wilson (MU) maj dec Noah Mattin, 17-6
149 — Jordan Napier (MU) dec Schuyler Caprella, 15-11
157 — Gavin Nelson (ONU) maj. dec. David Kitko, 15-2
165 — Seth Meyer (ONU) maj dec. Tyler Leonhard, 12-1
174 — Jacob Thompson (ONU) pinned Tristan Wilson, 3:48
184 — Alex Bair (ONU) tech fall Isaac Ray, 17-2
197 — Alex Roberts (MU) dec Evan Hickey, 10-6
285 — Nate Barcaskey (ONU) pinned Tristin Choate, 3:41

Exhibition Matches

125 — Elijua Weaver (MU) maj. dec. Avory Winans, 19-9
141 — JaVon Phillips (MU) pinned Aidan Pierobon, :43
141 — Blake Denton (MU) dec. Jevyn Pratt, 8-4
157 — Stephen Kitko (MU) pinned Trevor Reed, 3:58
184 — Cash Thompson (ONU) pinned Clayton Capes, 1:20