GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah wrestling team competed against Lock Haven University, Clarion University, and Stevens Institute of Technology in Hitchcock Arena on Saturday. The Falcons fell short in all three rounds against their opponents but had several positive individual performances, including a pin from Garrett Cornell and two victories from
Josiah Gehr.
Round 1 – Lock Haven 41, Messiah 3
The highlight of Messiah's first match was a decision earned by Gehr, 16-11, over Nick Stonecheck. Gehr claimed the decision in comeback fashion, digging himself out of a 7-2 deficit from the first round. The senior recorded four points in the final 50 seconds of the first round to enter the second round trailing Stonecheck, 8-6.
Gehr leveled the score at 8-8 40 seconds into the second round, setting up an exciting second half of the bout. With the wrestlers in a 10-10 stalemate, Gehr was able to flip his opponent on his stomach, proving to be the pivotal move of the bout. Gehr was able to ride Stonecheck in the final 30 seconds of the third round to clinch the decision.
Round 2 – Clarion 35, Messiah 15
Gehr, who had a momentous decision versus Lock Haven, continued his strong afternoon against Clarion. Wrestling against Seth Koleno, Gehr earned a pin just 1:22 into the bout.
Jake Coniglio was up next in the 149 weight class, and rode the momentum created by Gehr to claim a tight 6-4 decision over Lavinsky Collins.
Following Coniglio was Cornell, who wrestled one of the more exciting bouts of the afternoon. Trailing to Chanz Shearer by a score of 12-3 in the third quarter, Cornell flipped Shearer on his back, earning the three-count to claim the victory.
Round 3 – Stevens 30, Messiah 9
The Falcons earned three-straight decisions over Stevens at the 157, 165, and 174 weight classes.
Nick Barnhart represented Messiah at 157, defeating Hunter Gutierrez by a score of 9-5. Following Barnhart was
Zach Needles at 165, who topped Harrison Hinojosa, 4-1, in a low-scoring bout.
John Sumner continued the momentum, besting Joel Martsinovsky by a score of 9-5 at 174.
Extra Matches
The Falcons competed in exhibition matches on a third mat as well, highlighted by a pin from
Jared Butler over Stevens' Koenig.
Bryce Arnold also earned a victory in exhibition, defeating Stevens' Finateri by an 11-4 decision.
What's Next
Messiah wrestles against Delaware Valley University (10:00 a.m.), York College of Pennsylvania (11:30 a.m.), Millersville University (1:00 p.m.), and McDaniel College (2:30 p.m.) next Saturday, Dec. 18, in Hershey, Pa.
