Wrestling picks up wins over John Carroll and York (Pa.) at the Lycoming (Pa.) Duals
By Steve Green
LYCOMING, Pa. - The Ohio Northern wrestling team picked up two victories at the Budd Whitehill Lycoming (Pa.) Duals Friday, defeating John Carroll and York (Pa.) after falling to No. 16 Wilkes (Pa.) earlier in the day.
The Polar Bears are now 7-8 in dual matches on the year.
Despite wins from their two nationally ranked wrestlers, Ohio Northern started off with a loss against Wilkes.
Sophomore Mick Letcher got Northern's first win of the day as he was able to pin Anthony Dattolo in 2:40 to win at 149 pounds.
No. 2 ranked, All-American, Luke Miller followed with a 6-0 decision victory over James Histed.
With the win, Miller improves his record to 21-1 on the season.
A showdown between top five opponents at 174 was won when No. 4 ranked Kyle Kwiat was able to shutout No. 5 Frank Heffernan 6-0 to win the decision.
Kwiat moves to 19-3 on the season.
Matt Alexander was also able to gain a decision victory as he out pointed Kevin Gerhart 9-4 to bring Northern within two points of Wilkes at 15-17.
David Jones lost a close 6-5 decision at 197 that gave Wilkes all the room they needed to take the match.
Northern returned to the mats later in the day to take on conference rival John Carroll.
Louis Piszker and Jeremy Jones started the match by earning forfeit wins.
Luke Miller continued his strong day by pinning Ryan Pischel 4:18 into the match.
At 165 Billy Painter was able to gain a decision victory over Sean Gill, winning the match by a 10-5 score.
Kwiat made it three in a row by pinning Travis Hammer just 1:21 into the match.
The three wins in a row gave Northern a 27-9 lead.
David Jones added another decision victory in the 197 weight class, as he edged out a 4-2 decision over John Carroll's James Nemunaitis.
In the heavyweight division, Justin Southwick rounded out the match by pinning Alec Barker 4:06 into the match.
Southwick's win gave Northern a final score of 36-9. The win marks the second time this season that Northern has defeated John Carroll, and moves Northern's record to 6-8 on the season while John Carroll falls to 1-5 overall.
The Polar Bears returned once again to the mats to take on York (Pa.) with an opportunity to advance to the consolation quarterfinals on the line.
Jeremy Jones got the Polar Bears started as he pinned York's Alex Paladino at the 2:47 mark and earned the team six points.
At 149, Mick Letcher notched his second pin of the day as he needed less than two minutes to dispatch of Zach Tolbert, pinning him in 1:56.
All-American Luke Miller continued his dominance, earning a 16-0 tech. fall victory over Dylan Giandalia.
Miller shutout two of his opponents on the day, while pinning the other.
No. 4 Kyle Kwiat earned his second pin, as he improved to 3-0 on the day, pinning Zachary Downing at the 2:47 mark.
Kwiat ripped through the first day of the tournament, earning two wins by fall, and a shutout 6-0 decision.
Both Miller and Kwiat finished the day 3-0.
David Jones won a close 3-2 decision over York's George Saliba in the 197 weight class.
The victory all but assured the team win for Northern.
Justin Southwick rounded out Northern's day by winning a 5-0 decision over Shane Cooley. The win was Southwick's second of the day.
Northern returns to action again on Saturday morning as they start at 9 am in the consolation quarterfinals.
Ohio Northern 15, Wilkes 24
125 – Scott Mantua (Wilkes) tech. fall Louis Piszker, 6:27, 17-0
133—Andrew Fisher (Wilkes) pinned Jeremy Jones, 2:27
141 – Jared Brownmiller (Wilkes) dec. Garret Freeman, 8-4
149 – Mick Letcher (ONU) pinned Anthony Dattolo, 2:40
157 – Luke Miller (ONU) dec. James Histed, 6-0
165 – Dustin Stough (Wilkes) dec. Billy Painter, 5-2
174 – Kyle Kwait (ONU) dec. Frank Heffernan, 6-0
184 – Matt Alexander (ONU) dec. Kevin Gerhart, 9-4
197 – Zach Pizarro (Wilkes) dec David Jones, 6-5
285 – Andrew Feldman (Wilkes), maj. dec Justin Southwick, 16-6
Ohio Northern 36, John Carroll 9
125 – Louis Piszker (ONU) wins by forfeit
133— Jeremy Jones (ONU) wins by forfeit
141 – David Malkus (JCU) dec. Garret Freeman, 9-4
149 – Connor Suba (JCU) dec. Mick Letcher, 6-10
157 – Luke Miller (ONU) pinned Ryan Pischel, 4:18
165 – Billy Painter (ONU) dec. Sean Gill, 10-5
174 – Kyle Kwait (ONU) pinned Travis Hammer, 1:21
184 – Ben Adams (JCU) dec. Matt Alexander, 4-2
197 – David Jones (ONU) dec. James Nemunaitis, 4-2
285 – Justin Southwick (ONU) pinned Alec Barker, 4:06
Ohio Northern 29, York 14
125 – Jerrid Hartman (YORK) tech. fall. Louis Piszker, 6:59 18-0
133— Jeremy Jones (ONU) pinned Alex Paladino, 2:47
141 – Chris Gugliotti (YORK) dec. Garret Freeman, 7-2
149 – Mick Letcher (ONU) pinned Zach Tolbert, 1:56
157 – Luke Miller (ONU) tech. fall Dylan Giandalia, 4:10, 16-0
165 – Matt Heisey (YORK) dec. Billy Painter, 7-1
174 – Kyle Kwait (ONU) pinned Zachary Downing, 2:47
184 – Alex Martocello (YORK) dec. Matt Alexander, 4-3
197 – David Jones (ONU) dec. George Saliba, 3-2
285 – Justin Southwick (ONU) pinned Shane Cooley, 4:06