Lycoming Tops Nationally-Ranked Wilkes
Warriors Are Ready For #4 Ranked Delaware Valley

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—In a Freedom Conference wrestling match-up, Lycoming defeated Wilkes 21-16 on Friday night at Lamade Gymnasium. Wilkes was ranked #13 in the January 23 Brute/NWCA division III national rankings.

The Warriors featured pins by senior Sean Cullen (Cinnaminson, NJ) at 133 pounds and freshman Chris Dahlheimer (Felton, PA) at 157 to set the pace early. Senior Kyle Hopkins (Milton, DE) used a first-period takedown to contribute a 4-0 decision at 141.

After two straight Wilkes wins, Bryan Kopesky (Phillipsburg, NJ) came up with a hard-fought 3-1 decision at 184 to put the Warriors up by five team points.

Conspicuously missing from Wilkes’ lineup was 197-pounder Brandon Kelly, who is ranked #6 in the country, but was upset by Warrior Matt Miller (Muncy, PA) on January 4. Miller’s victory over Kelly’s substitute put the match out of reach at 21-13.

Lycoming, who was previously ranked #24 (Jan. 7), is in a position to play spoiler again, next Tuesday, when the Warriors host #4 ranked Delaware Valley. The match begins at 7:00 in Lamade Gym

Lycoming 21, Wilkes 16
125: Shaun Farnham dec. (14-8) Joe Palmitessa                        0-3
133: Sean Cullen fall (2:01) Josh Pauling                                   6-3
141: Kyle Hopkins dec. (4-0) Peter George                                 9-3
149: Erik Smith maj. dec. (9-1) Zach Frederick                           9-7
157: Chris Dahlheimer fall (6:26) Frank Heffernan                       15-7
165: Justin Barowski dec. (4-1) Eric Miller                                  15-10
174: Daniel Giancola dec. (13-10) Justin Waycaster                    15-13
184: Bryan Kopesky dec. (3-1) Colin Nagy                                  18-13
197: Matt Miller dec. (3-0) Thomas Leggio                                  21-13
285: Keith Altiery dec. (7-4) Joe Ostrowski                                 21-16