LYCOMING GRAPPLERS WIN TWO-OF-THREE AT QUAD-MEET

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – The Lycoming College wrestling team hosted a dual-match quad-meet, Saturday afternoon, with Hunter, Mt. Union, and York colleges. The Warriors went 2-1 on the afternoon, defeating Mt. Union College, 24-15, and Hunter College, 33-12. Their only loss was to York College, 16-19. Lycoming is now 15-8 in dual matches this season.

Against Mt. Union, the Warriors started slow dropping the first four bouts to fall behind 0-15. Jason Smith (So./Hughesville, Pa.; Hughesville) got Lycoming on the board and grabbed the momentum with a third-period win-by-fall over Doug Jones at 157 pounds. The Warriors then ran off four straight decisions to take an 18-15 lead. Clint Swartz (Sr./Milton, Pa.; Warrior Run) defeated Mark Common, 8-5, at 165; Eric Miller (Fr./Muncy, Pa.; Montgomery) topped Ken McLeod, 5-2, at 174; Lance Wilt (Fr./Lamar, Pa.; Central Mountain) beat Josh Gregorek, 8-1, at 184; and John Battaglia (Sr./Beaver Falls, Pa.; Blackhawk) defeated Ernest Forbes, 8-2, at 197. Tommy Snyder (So./New Columbia, Pa.; Milton) secured the victory for Lycoming by pinning Luke Latham in the first period of the heavyweight bout.

The Warriors’ only loss came versus York College. Sean Cullen (Fr./Cinnaminson, N.J.; Cinnaminson) got Lycoming off to a strong start with an 8-0 major decision at 125 pounds. The Spartans, however, recorded a pin at 133 pounds and decisions at 141 and 149 to take a 12-4 lead. At 157, Smith tallied a 4-2 decision to pull the Warriors within 7-12. York responded with a decision at 165 and a major at 174 to take a 19-7 advantage into the final three weight classes. Wilt and Battaglia recorded decisions for Lycoming at 184 and 197 pounds, respectively. That left the score at 19-13 in favor of the Spartans entering the final bout. T. Snyder came away with the victory, but only by a 4-1 decision, leaving York with the 19-16 win.

Against Hunter, the Warriors won 7-of-10 bouts for their easiest victory of the day. Sean Reese (Jr./Milton, Pa.; Milton) and Miller led the way with pins at 149 and 174 pounds. John Ambs (Jr./Mount Joy, Pa.; Donegal), Heath Oberlin (So./Mifflinburg, Pa.; Mifflinburg), and Wilt added major decisions at 141, 165, and 184 pounds, respectively. Cullen picked up a decision at 125 and Chad Decker (So./Marysville, Pa.; Susquenita) accepted a forfeit at heavyweight to round out the scoring.

Lycoming will compete again next Saturday, when they travel to Wilkes University for a conference dual match.