YORK, Pa. - After eight bouts on Friday night, the No. 16 Messiah wrestling team had built a comfortable 25-7 lead against the York Spartans. Despite the Spartans picking up a late decision and fall, Messiah was able to hold on for a dual victory by a final score of 25-16.
The Falcons dropped the opening bout of the dual by a decision before winning six of the next seven to build their substantial lead. Notable performances for the Falcons included falls from
Stephen Maloney (157 lbs.) and
Brian Shermeyer (174 lbs.) and major decisions from
Josiah Gehr (133 lbs.) and
Dalton Daugherty (141 lbs.).
The Falcons will have a quick turnaround as they host the Messiah Open tomorrow morning in Hitchcock Arena. Wrestling is scheduled to get underway tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m.
How It Happened
York's Jared Kuhns got the Spartans on the board with a 7-4 decision at 125 lbs. to start the evening. The Falcons quickly countered with back-to-back major decision at 133 lbs. and 141 lbs. by
Josiah Gehr and
Dalton Daugherty, respectively. Gehr earned a takedown, a pair of reversals, and six nearfall points en route to a 13-1 major decision at 133 lbs.
In the very next bout,
Dalton Daugherty highlighted his 9-1 major decision with a pair of takedowns, a reversal, and a nearfall. The second-straight major decision gave the Falcons an 8-3 lead after three bouts.
At 149 lbs. York's Eric Hutchinson used a big third period to claim a major decision. Hutchinson and
Nick Barnhart were tied 2-2 heading to the final period thanks to a takedown from Hutchinson and a pair of escapes from Barnhart. In the final two minutes, Hutchinson picked up a reversal, takedown, and four nearfall points to claim the bout 11-3.
After Messiah's lead was whittled down to one point at 8-7,
Stephen Maloney put the Falcons back in the driver's seat with a fall in just over a minute. Maloney was ruthless in his 83 seconds on the mat, earning three takedowns and four nearfall points before pinning York's Edward Williams.
Matt Pangle earned a 4-1 decision at 165 lbs. with a reversal early in the third period the difference in the match. Pangle trailed the Spartans' Jesse Rocco 1-0 heading to the third, but Pangle reversed him just 16 seconds into the third period and rode him out for the final 1:44 of the match. A stalling call and riding time gave Pangle the 4-1 victory.
Following Pangle's victory,
Brian Shermeyer picked up a first-period fall in 2:26 to extend Messiah's lead to 23-7. In his 174 lbs. bout, Shermeyer earned four takedowns before flipping York's Kyle Strazdus to his back for the pin.
David Stevens earned Messiah's final victory of the night with a 3-1 decision at 184 lbs. to lock up the victory for the Falcons in thrilling fashion. Stevens and York's Billy Myers were level at 1-1 after trading escape points in the second and third periods. With just three seconds remaining in the match, Stevens secured the match-winning takedown to claim the 3-1 decision. During the bout, Messiah had a team point deducted for control of mat violation. As a result, the Falcons held a 25-7 lead with two bouts remaining.
Despite a decision and a fall from the Spartans in the final two bouts of the night, Messiah was able to head home with a 25-16 victory.
With the win, Messiah moves to 15-5 in duals this season and will be back on the mats tomorrow morning when the host the Messiah Open. Saturday's wrestling is slated to begin at 10:00 a.m.
No. 16 Messiah defeats York (Pa.) - 25-16
125 - Jared Kuhns (York) decision (7-4) over
Sean Redington (Messiah)
133 -
Josiah Gehr (Messiah) major decision (13-1) over Logan Fox (York)
141 -
Dalton Daugherty (Messiah) major decision (9-1) over Verlensky Joachim (York)
149 - Eric Hutchinson (York) major decision (11-3) over
Nick Barnhart (Messiah)
157 -
Stephen Maloney (Messiah) fall (1:23) Edwards Williams (York)
165 -
Matt Pangle (Messiah) decision (4-1) over Jesse Rocco (York)
174 -
Brian Shermeyer (Messiah) fall (2:26) Kyle Strazdus (York)
184** -
David Stevens (Messiah) decision (3-1) over Billy Myers (York)
197 - Camden Farrow (York) decision (11-6) over
Joe Embleton (Messiah)
285 - Thomas Tabatneck (York) fall (4:59)
Carter Urich (Messiah)
**Messiah deducted one team point for control of mat violation
