Collegeville, PA - The Messiah wrestlers faced tough competition at the North-South Duals in Wilkes University and Delaware Valley College who are both nationally ranked, 24th and 30th respectively. As well as the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) and Rhode Island College. The Falcons fell to Wilkes, 33-10, and also to Delaware Valley 26-15. However they then took care of USMMA, 24-18, and Rhode Island College 32-11.
“It was a challenging day with its ups and downs,” said head coach
Bryan Brunk. “A bit disappointing to lose the first two matches.”
Sophomore
Kaleb Loht suffered a tough loss to open up his day in that it was his first of the year. He bounced back though, winning his remaining three bouts by way of pin, technical fall, and major decision to go 3-1 on the day.
The Falcons controlled two weight classes on the day, 174 and 184. Juniors
Ricardo Plummer and
Ben Kramer won both of their matches at 174, and freshman
Josh Thomson won all four of his matches by major decision at 184.
“That was pretty awesome,” said coach Brunk about Thomson. “He looked great today.”
Highlights of the USMMA match include a pin by Loht (141) at 2:12 and pin by junior
Charles Jones (285) at 2:58. Jones' bout was the last of the USMMA dual and came when the match was tied at 18 points each, securing the victory for Messiah.
The win against Rhode Island College featured an overtime win by junior
Chris Williamson, and major decision from
Josh Thomson. Unfortunately for Rhode Island that dual also included three forfeits at 165, 174, and 197.
“We are just going to keep pressing on towards the goal at the end of the year,” coach Brunk said. "There are definitely some things that we can take away from our matches today."
The next matches for the Falcons are the Budd Whitehill Duals on January 11 and 12.
Results
Wilkes University 33, Messiah College 10
125 – Gueseppe Rea (Wilkes) fall
Kurt Rodriguez, 6:59
133 – Mezar Mendoza (Wilkes) dec.
Kyle Coblentz, 4-2
141 – Jeff Peterson (Wilkes) dec.
Kaleb Loht, 6-5
149 – Mark Hartchstine (Wilkes) dec.
Chris Williamson, 10-3
157 – Kris Krawchuck (Wilkes) fall
Jake English, 1:04
165 – Nate White (Wilkes) fall
Kyle Dayhoff, 5:33
174 –
Ricardo Plummer (Messiah) dec. Dustin Stugh, 3-2
184 –
Josh Thomson (Messiah) maj. dec. Eric Bach, 15-7
197 – Matt Transue (Wilkes) fall
Steven Bandstra, 4:09
285 –
Evan Canady (Messiah) dec. Nick Dawson, 9-7
Delaware Valley College 26, Messiah College 15
125 – Charlie Frankel (Del Val) fall
Kurt Rodriguez, 1:11
133 – David Davidson (Del Val) dec.
Zach Snow, 6-4
141 –
Kaleb Loht (Messiah) tech. fall Trenton Clifford, 21-6
149 – Emmanuel Ajagbe (Del Val) maj. dec.
Chris Williamson, 11-1
157 – James Dugan (Del Val) fall
Jake English, 2:59
165 – Nick Della Fera (Del Val) dec.
Kyle Dayhoff, 7-1
174 –
Ben Kramer (Messiah) dec. Dallas Winston, 2-1
184 –
Josh Thomson (Messiah) maj. dec. Connor Gabriel, 16-4
197 – Aaron Karns (Del Val) maj. dec. Russel Jones, 8-0
285 –
Charles Jones (Messiah) tech. fall Noah Gesford, 16-1
Messiah College 24, USMMA 18
125 – Costas Rerras (USMMA) fall
Kurt Rodriguez, 5:19
133 –
Kyle Coblentz (Messiah) tech. fall Thomas Healy, 15-0
141 –
Kaleb Loht (Messiah) fall Ian Nisley, 2:12
149 – Watson (USMMA) dec.
Chris Williamson, 7-3
157 – Branden Yeik (USMMA) dec.
Jake English, 5-3
165 – Jake Walker (USMMA) dec.
Kyle Dayhoff, 15-11
174 –
Ben Kramer (Messiah) dec. Josh Miller, 4-0
184 –
Josh Thomson (Messiah) maj. dec. Greg Potemken, 12-3
197 – Tyler Russell (USMMA) dec.
Russell Jones, 11-6
285 –
Charles Jones (Messiah) fall Ricky Fisher, 2:58
Messiah College 32, Rhode Island College 11
125 – Jonathan Murray (RIC) fall
Kurt Rodriguez, 2:58
133 –
Zach Snow (Messiah) dec. Silas Murray, 7-5
141 –
Kaleb Loht (Messiah) maj. dec. Chris Kelly, 14-2
149 –
Chris Williamson (Messiah) dec. Alex LaBeef, 9-7
157 – Ryan Rheaune (RIC) dec.
Jake English, 8-7
165 –
Kyle Dayhoff (Messiah) won by forfeit
174 –
Ricardo Plummer (Messiah) won by forfeit
184 –
Josh Thomson (Messiah) maj. dec. Adam Lynch, 14-4
197 –
Steven Bandstra (Messiah) won by forfeit
285 – Ryan Nicol (RIC) dec.
Charles Jones, 5-2
Franklin & Marshall Open
A few members of Messiah wrestling competed at the Franklin & Marshall Open Tournament today. These include freshman
Andres Gutierrez (133), sophomore
Kalann Washington (157), junior
Stephen Cannon (174), and student assistant
Craig Hogan (174). Cannon won two matches in the consolation bracket, a 10-7 decision and 15-6 major decision. Hogan won his first bout with a 12-6 decision.
