JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The No. 17 Messiah wrestling team opened a full day of duals with a 19-16 victory of the No. 5 Johnson and Wales Wildcats in Jersey City on Saturday afternoon.
Nick Barnhart earned a 10-8 decision at 149 lbs. to break a 16-16 tie and claim a three point victory for the Falcons.
In their second dual of the day, No. 4 Wabash ran out to a 17-3 lead over the Falcons before topping Messiah 32-12 victory.
Josiah Gehr highlighted Messiah's effort in the dual, earning a first-period fall at 133 lbs.
Messiah defeats Johnson and Wales - 19-16
After nine bouts the No. 17 Falcons and the No. 5 Wildcats were tied 16-16 heading into the final match of their dual. The Falcons earned a thrilling 10-8 decision at 149 lbs. from Nick Barnart to claim the three-point victory in the match.
Earlier in the match, the Falcons built a 12-0 lead thanks to decisions from
Stephen Maloney (157 lbs.),
Matt Pangle (165 lbs.),
Brian Shermeyer (174 lbs.), and
David Stevens (184 lbs.).
The Wildcats then took a 13-12 lead after a fall, major decision, and a decision at 197 lbs, 285 lbs, and 125 lbs., respectively. Messiah's
Josiah Gehr claimed a 14-6 major decision at 133 lbs. to give the Falcons the lead back at 16-13. A Wildcats' decision at 141 lbs. followed, setting the stage for Barnhart at 149 lbs.
Against Gabe McDaniel, the Falcons'
Nick Barnhart earned a 10-8 decision to claim a thrilling 19-16 victory for the Falcons in a top-20 showdown.
After claiming a victory over No. 5 Johnson and Wales, Messiah moved to 9-2 on the season in duals.
Wabash defeats Messiah 32-12
The Little Giants earned a 32-12 victory over the Falcons in Messiah's second dual of the day. Starting at 141 lbs., No. 4 Wabash took a 17-3 lead thanks to a pair of decision, a technical fall, and a pin. Messiah's
Stephen Maloney earned the Falcons' lone decision in the opening five bouts at 157 lbs. with a 6-2 victory.
David Stevens earned a 5-4 decision at 184 lbs. for the Falcons, but the Little Giants claimed three-straight bouts with falls at 197 lbs. and 285 lbs. and a decision at 125 lbs. to take control of the dual. With Wabash leading 32-6,
Josiah Gehr earned a first-period fall at 133 lbs. to cap off the dual with a pin. Gehr's fall came in 2:49, but it was not enough as the Falcons fell 32-12 in the dual.
Muhlenberg defeats Messiah - 31-15
The Mules claimed the first five bouts in the final match of the day. The Falcons fell into a 20-0 hole, but fought back with a forfeit at 125 lbs., a fall from
Josiah Gehr at 133 lbs., and a 4-3 decision at 141 lbs. by Garett Cornell.
The Mules claimed the decision at 149 lbs. and a forfeit at 157 lbs. to earn a 31-15 victory in the match.
What's Up Next
The Falcons will take off for the next two weeks, but will be back in action at the Jim Crytzer Invitational on Jan. 4 at Washington and Lee.
Messiah defeats Johnson and Wales - 19-16
157: Maloney (MC) over Joyce DEC 9-5
165: Pangle (MC) over Murphy DEC 6-0
174: Shermeyer (MC) over Bowler DEC 6-0
184: Stevens (MC) over Munsch DEC 6-3
197: Wreszren (JWU) over Embleton Fall 2:26
285: Dinardo (JWU) over Urich MD 12-2
125: Lopez (JWU) over Reddington 9-5
133: Gehr (MC) over Eckles MD 14-6
141: Robinson (JWU) over Cornell DEC 8-4
149: Barnhart (MC) over McDaniel DEC 10-8
Wabash defeats Messiah - 32-12
141: Doster (WB) over Correll DEC 9-7
149: Barr (WB) over Nunez TF 17-0 5:33
157: Maloney (MC) over Bethel DEC 6-2
165: Hatch (WB) over Pangle DEC 4-0
174: Schurg (WB) over Shermeyer Fall 3:23
184: Stevens (MC) over Herrin DEC 5-4
197: Miller (WB) over Embleton Fall 5:20
285: Ripple (WB) over Urich Fall 0:49
125: Champagne (WB) over Howard DEC 7-0
133: Gehr (MC) over Lomenick Fall 2:49
Muhlenberg defeats Messiah - 31-15
165: Schwarz (MUHL) over Edwards MD 14-4
174: Jamison (MUHL) over Shermeyer DEC 8-4
184: Franatoni (MUHL) over Stevens DEC 5-2
197: Colestock (MUHL) over Embleton Fall 4:19
285: Schaefer (MUHL) over Urich Fall 2:34
125: Reddington (MESS) by FORFEIT
133: Gehr (MESS) over Pena Fall 1:47
141: Cornell (MESS) over Baum DEC 4-3
149: Sherman (MUHL) over Barnhart DEC 7-5
157: Maffey (MUHL) over FORFEIT
