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Falcons Impress in Season's First Invite

11/1/2014 6:14:00 PM

Complete Brackets

Grantham, PA - The Falcons dominated in their first competition of the season as they won the Messiah Invitational by 31.5 points. Messiah crowned four champions in today's tournament who included Lucas Malmberg, Kaleb Loht, Chris Williamson, and Josh Thomson.
 
Lucas Malmberg looked impressive today's tournament as he pinned his first two opponents, tech falled his semifinal opponent, and won by a 17-5 major decision in the finals over Tim Nordan of Liberty University.
 
At the 141lb. weight class, returning national champion Kaleb Loht looked in midseason form already as he tech falled his first opponent and pinned his way through the finals.
 
Chris Williamson won the 149lb. weight class as he finished 5-0 on the day. Williamson pinned his first two opponents and won his quarterfinals match by a score of 12-6 over Isaac Bray of Wheaton College. Williamson had another Wheaton College foe in the semifinals who he defeated by a score of 10-5. In the finals Williamson defeated Alex Kramer of Ursinus College 10-4.
 
At 157lbs., Larry Cannon wrestled well and improved immensely from last season. He came out strong and pinned his first opponent before beating another Falcons Tyler Miller 10-3. Cannon earned revenge in his semifinal bout as he defeated Mark Savenok 5-4 on a last second takedown. Savenok defeated Cannon twice last season. Cannon had a tough task ahead of him in the finals as he took on No. 1 Nick Carr of Washington & Jefferson. Cannon wrestled tough and took it to the number 1 ranked wrestler in the country. Unfortunately, Cannon lost 6-4 and finished in secon place. .
 
Derek Beitz wrestled well in his first competition as a Falcon at 165lbs. Beitz made quick work out of his first opponent as he pinned him in only 42 seconds. In the quarterfinal round Beitz took on eventual champion Chase Boontjer from Liberty University and lost a close 5-2 decision. Beitz wrestled back through the consolation rounds and defeated Jared Fekete of Wheaton College 15-5 earning third place.
 
No. 1 ranked Josh Thomson wrestled solid at his new weight class, 174lbs. Thomson defeated his first opponent by a 14-4 major decision. In the quarterfinals and semifinals Thomson won by a score of 6-1 and 6-0. Thomson didn't score a lot of points, but he was in complete control of both matches. In the finals Thomson wrestled Sonnieboy Blanco of Washington and Jefferson and defeated him by a score of 9-3.
 
At 184lbs. Jeremy Bailes defeated his first two opponents by a score of 12-1 and a pin in 51 seconds. In the semifinals Bailes ran into Josh Llopez from Liberty University and lost 17-8. Bailes wrestled back through the consolation rounds and defeated Jake Pooton of McDaniel College 15-6 to earn third place.
 
Jason Wright received a bye to the quarterfinals and defeated Kory Johnson of Johns Hopkins 6-2. In the semifinals Wright defeated Matthew Reynolds of Liberty University 8-5. In the finals Wright ran into Daniel Olsen of Wheaton College. Olsen caught Wright in a tight headlock in the first period and pinned Wright in one minute and ten second. Wright earned second place on the day.
 
At 285lbs. Nick Havener wrestled to the finals and lost to earn second place. Havener pinned his first opponent and defeated his second opponent by a score of 8-3. In the semifinals Havener pinned Taylor Avino of McDaniel College with one second to spare in the match. In the finals Havener lost to Josh Pelletier of Liberty University 5-0.
 
The Falcons will take the mat again next weekend when they travel to Wilkes-Barre, PA to participate in the John Reese Duals.

Team Scores:
 
Messiah College137 points
Liberty University104.5
Wheaton College74.5
McDaniel College71.5
Washington & Jefferson70.5
Ursinus College37.5
Elizabethtown College32.0
UMBC8.5
Johns Hopkins University5.5

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