Williamsport, PA - The No. 6 Messiah Falcons defeated the No. 14 Lions of The College of New Jersey 20-15 on Saturday afternoon and won the 28th annual Budd Whitehill Duals. Messiah finished 5-0 throughout the tournament to take the title.  The Falcons took the 2014 title with a 21-15 victory in the championship dual over SUNY-Cortland and won the 2015 title with a 34-6 victory over Williams.

Messiah defeated Oswego State 35-10
 
The No. 6 Falcons of Messiah College cruised past Oswego State during their first dual meet of the 28th annual Budd Whitehill Duals with a 35-10 final score.
 
The Falcons asserted their dominance from the first whistle with two straight pins and a technical fall. No. 1 Lucas Malmberg collected the first fall for Messiah at 125 pounds over Jacob Yankloski in 1:57.
 
Hunter Harris kept the momentum rolling for Messiah by tallying another pin for the Falcons at 133 pounds over James Ronca in 2:12. Next, Lee Cassel displayed technical superiority over Jonathan Ptacek at 141 pounds by earning a 16-0 technical fall.
 
With an early 17-0 lead, Messiah continued their winning ways with a 16-3 major decision by Cory Obendorfer over Nicholas Swanson at 149 pounds. At 157 pounds, Larry Cannon earned a solid 8-0 major decision over Tyler Silverthorn and extended Messiah's lead to 25-0.
 
After a five match winning streak, the Falcons dropped their first match of the dual at 165 pounds. Oswego State's Mark Milisci grinded out a close 3-2 decision over Messiah's Tag Wilbur. Oswego State earned their second straight victory of the dual at 174 pounds when Troy Seymour defeated No. 7 Derek Beitz by a 10-1 major decision.
 
No. 3 Josh Thomson shoved Messiah back into the win column with an impressive pin in 4:23 over Sean Maloney. Oswego State answered with a tight 3-2 decision at 197 pounds as Daniel Smith edged Nick Havener.
 
Jason Wright ended the dual strong for the Falcons with a 11-2 major decision over Kade Andrews at 285 pounds and sealed the 35-10 victory for Messiah.
 
125     Lucas Malmberg (Messiah) over Jacob Yankloski (SUNY-Oswego) Fall 1:57
133     Hunter Harris (Messiah) over James Ronca (SUNY-Oswego) Fall 2:12
141     Lee Cassel (Messiah) over Jonathan Ptacek (SUNY-Oswego) TF 16-0
149     Cory Obendorfer (Messiah) over Nicholas Swanson (SUNY-Oswego) Maj 16-3
157     Larry Cannon (Messiah) over Tyler Silverthorn (SUNY-Oswego) Maj 8-0
165     Mark Milisci (SUNY-Oswego) over Tag Wilbur (Messiah) Dec 3-2
174     Troy Seymour (SUNY-Oswego) over Derek Beitz (Messiah) Maj 10-1
184     Josh Thomson (Messiah) over Sean Maloney (SUNY-Oswego) Fall 4:23
197     Daniel Smith (SUNY-Oswego) over Nick Havener (Messiah) Dec 3-2
285     Jason Wright (Messiah) over Kade Andrews (SUNY-Oswego) Maj 11-2


Messiah defeated Olivet 29-13

In their second dual of the day, the No. 6 Messiah Falcons defeated the Olivet Comets 29-15. Larry Cannon, Jeff Hojnacki, and Josh Thomson each earned technical falls while Lucas Malmberg and Derek Beitz each earned major decisions.

No. 1 Lucas Malmberg gave the Falcons the early lead over Olivet and racked up points for a 13-3 major decision over Trever Skinner. Next, Messiah dropped the next two weight classes at 133 and 141 pounds as Hunter Harris and Arty Walsh lost by major decision and pin.

Trailing 10-4, Messiah rallied and won the next six of seven matches in the dual. Greg Kabakjian picked up a solid 9-3 decision over Austin Kelley at 149 pounds. At 157 pounds, Larry Cannon conquered Ross Penncock with a 16-1 technical fall.

Jeff Hojnacki duplicated Cannon's match score by scoring a 16-1 technical fall at 165 pounds. At 174 pounds, No. 7 Derek Beitz controlled Nicholas Affricano and earned a 9-0 major decision.

No. 3 Josh Thomson tacked on to his undefeated record against Division III opponents by scoring a 20-0 technical fall over Jacob Harvey. Olivet won their third and final bout of the dual at 197 pounds as Thomas Hall edged Nick Havener by a 5-4 decision.

Jason Wright capped off the successful dual meet for the Falcons with a tough 8-7 decision over Jesse Judge.

125    Lucas Malmberg (Messiah) over Trever Skinner (Olivet) Maj 13-3
133    Jared Brickley (Olivet) over Hunter Harris (Messiah) Maj 14-6
141    Curtis Blackwell (Olivet) over Arty Walsh (Messiah) Fall 1:07
149    Greg Kabakjian (Messiah) over Austin Kelley (Olivet) Dec 9-3
157    Larry Cannon (Messiah) over Ross Pennock (Olivet) TF 16-1
165    Jeff Hojnacki (Messiah) over Kevin Papak (Olivet) TF 16-1
174    Derek Beitz (Messiah) over Nicholas Affricano (Olivet) Maj 9-0
184    Josh Thomson (Messiah) over Jacob Harvey (Olivet) TF 20-0
197    Thomas Hall (Olivet) over Nick Havener (Messiah) Dec 5-4
285    Jason Wright (Messiah) over Jesse Judge (Olivet) Dec 8-7

Messiah defeated Ohio Northern 32-6
In their third dual on the opening day of the Budd Whitehill Duals the Falcons defeated the Ohio Northern Polar Bears 32-6. Hunter Harris, Lee Cassel, and Derek Beitz each collected falls. Harris and Cassel completed their pins in the first period while Beitz finished off Max Dole from Ohio Northern in the third period. Ben Swarr collected a technical fall at 184 pounds.

After Lucas Malmberg received a forfeit at 125 pounds, Hunter Harris made quick work of Nathan Palmer with a pin in just 43 seconds. Lee Cassell followed Harris at 141 pounds with a fall of his own over Austin Palmer in 1:57.

Greg Kabakjian tallied his second victory of the day at 149 pounds with a tough 7-4 decision over Gavin Nelson. Trailing 21-0, Ohio Northern captured their first victory of the dual meet from Clayton Davidson who won by an 11-5 decision over Cory Obendorfer.

Next, Jeff Hojnacki put the Falcons back in the win column with an 8-3 decision over Kyler Deeter. At 174 pounds, No. 7 Derek Beitz earned a fall in the third period over Mac Dole in 5:29. Messiah kept rolling at 184 pounds as Ben Swarr overwhelmed Austin Windle with a 19-1 technical fall.

At 197 pounds, Nick Havener grinded out a close 4-1 decision over Evan Hickley. Ohio Northern grabbed a victory at 285 pounds as Kody Bellamy edged Jason Wright by a 5-3 decision.

125    Lucas Malmberg (Messiah) vs Unknown (Unattached)
133    Hunter Harris (Messiah) over Nathan Palmer (Ohio Northern) Fall 0:43
141    Lee Cassel (Messiah) over Austin Palmer (Ohio Northern) Fall 1:57
149    Greg Kabakjian (Messiah) over Gavin Nelson (Ohio Northern) Dec 7-4
157    Clayton Davidson (Ohio Northern) over Cory Obendorfer (Messiah) Dec 11-5   
165    Jeff Hojnacki (Messiah) over Kyler Deeter (Ohio Northern) Dec 8-3
174    Derek Beitz (Messiah) over Max Dole (Ohio Northern) Fall 5:29
184    Ben Swarr (Messiah) over Austin Windle (Ohio Northern) TF 19-1
197    Nick Havener (Messiah) over Evan Hickey (Ohio Northern) Dec 4-1
285    Kody Bellamy (Ohio Northern) over Jason Wright (Messiah) Dec 5-3

Messiah defeated York 29-11

The Falcons defeated York 29-11 in the semifinals of the Budd Whitehill duals. Lucas Malmberg began the match with a pin in just 1:24. York then took the next three matches to build an 11-6 lead before Messiah claimed the final six bouts to earn the 18-point victory. Wrestling at 197 pounds, Josh Thomson highlighted the second-half of the match. He earned an 18-1 technical fall over John Shorter to put the match out of reach.

After York won the 133, 141, and 149 weight classes, Messiah stormed back with by winning the final six weight classes. Larry Cannon began the run at 157 pounds with a 10-2 major decision over Cory Rank.
 
At 165 pounds, Jeff Hojnacki earned the second straight major decision by defeating Francis Krauss by a 11-2 score. Next, Derek Beitz grinded out a tough 5-1 decision over Mitchell Ramsey.
 
With Messiah leading 17-11, Ben Swarr earned a dominant win over Jesse Huber with a 12-1 major decision. Josh Thomson bumped up a weight class to 197 pounds and racked up points for an 18-1 technical fall over John Shorter.
 
Jason Wright capped off the Falcon victory with challenging 3-1 sudden victory over Mike Spencer. 

125     Lucas Malmberg (Messiah) over Lake Laughman (York (PA)) Fall 1:24
133     Ryan Flynn (York (PA)) over Hunter Harris (Messiah) Maj 12-2
141     Gregory Warner (York (PA)) over Lee Cassel (Messiah) Maj 15-4
149     John Buhagiar (York (PA)) over Greg Kabakjian (Messiah) Dec 10-4
157     Larry Cannon (Messiah) over Cory Rank (York (PA)) Maj 10-2
165     Jeff Hojnacki (Messiah) over Francis Krauss (York (PA)) Maj 11-2
174     Derek Beitz (Messiah) over Mitchell Ramsey (York (PA)) Dec 5-1
184     Ben Swarr (Messiah) over Jesse Huber (York (PA)) Maj 12-1
197     Josh Thomson (Messiah) over John Shorter (York (PA)) TF 18-1
285     Jason Wright (Messiah) over Mike Spencer (York (PA)) SV-1 3-1

Messiah defeated The College of New Jersey 20-15

The No. 6 Falcons of Messiah College defeated the No. 14 Lions of The College of New Jersey 20-15 by taking six of 10 bouts in the championship dual meet. 

No. 1 Lucas Malmberg gave the Falcons an early lead over the Lions by displaying technical superiority over James Gill with a 20-5 technical fall. The Lions immediately answered by winning the next three weight classes at 133, 141, and 149 pounds.
 
Trailing 12-5, Larry Cannon cut the Lions lead to 12-8 by edging Joe Paton 6-1. The Lions won their final bout of the dual meet at 165 pounds as Nick Herring grinded out an 11-7 decision over Jeff Hojnacki.
 
Messiah stormed back by winning the final four bouts at 174, 184, 197, and 285 pounds. No. 7 Derek Beitz began the Falcon rally with an 8-4 decision over Doug Hamann. At 184 pounds, Ben Swarr nearly earned a major decision over Dan Wojtaszek with an 9-3 final score.
 
Messiah regained the lead for the first time since the 125 pound bout when No. 3 Josh Thomson defeated Constantine Rissiotis by a 7-0 decision.
 
The dual meet came down to the final match and Jason Wright prevailed for the Falcons with a gutsy 3-1 overtime victory.
 
The victory over The College of New Jersey gave the Falcons their third straight Budd Whitehill Duals championship. Messiah Improved to 10-2 overall with the 5-0 performance this weekend and will be back in action on Jan. 15 when they travel to Gettysburg and take on the Bullets at 7 p.m.

125         Lucas Malmberg (Messiah) over James Gill (The College of New Jersey) TF 20-5
133         James Goldschmidt (The College of New Jersey) over Hunter Harris (Messiah) TF 23-8
141         Ryan Budzek (The College of New Jersey) over Arty Walsh (Messiah) Maj 11-0
149         Steven Schneider (The College of New Jersey) over Greg Kabakjian (Messiah) Dec 2-0                
157         Larry Cannon (Messiah) over Joe Paton (The College of New Jersey) Dec 6-1
165         Nick Herring (The College of New Jersey) over Jeff Hojnacki (Messiah) Dec 11-7           
174         Derek Beitz (Messiah) over Doug Hamann (The College of New Jersey) Dec 8-4
184         Ben Swarr (Messiah) over Dan Wojtaszek (The College of New Jersey) Dec 9-3
197         Josh Thomson (Messiah) over Constantine Rissiotis (The College of New Jersey) Dec 7-0          
285         Jason Wright (Messiah) over Kyle Cocozza (The College of New Jersey) SV-1 3-1

 

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