GRANTHAM, Pa. - The Messiah wrestling team capped off a busy week with a dual against the Delaware Valley Aggies on Saturday afternoon in Hitchcock Arena.
Nick Nunez (149 lbs.) and
Joshua Paige (157 lbs.) highlighted the effort for the Falcons with a fall and major decision, respectively, but it was not enough as the Falcons suffered a 31-22 defeat in the dual.
The loss drops the Falcons dual record on the season to 1-3, with two more duals against the Aggies on the schedule for the next 10 days. Messiah and Delaware Valley will compete against one another once again on Tuesday night in Hitchcock Arena. The dual is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m.
Taking an Early Lead
The Falcons built an early 22-4 lead over the Aggies thanks to a pair of forfeits, a fall, and a major decision. Delaware Valley forfeited the two lightest weights with the Falcons picking up 12 team points after 125 lbs. and 133 lbs. In the first contested match at 141 lbs., the Aggies Russell Benson earned an impressive 14-2 major decision to get Delaware Valley on the board.
Nick Nunez got the Falcons back on track with a fall in 4:43 at 149 lbs. Nunez earned a first-period takedown against Zach Zuckerman to take a 2-1 lead after the opening period. After starting the second period on top, Nunez earned a set of near fall points before earning the fall in the final seconds of the period.
Up next was
Joshua Paige at 157 lbs. who earned a major decision in an action-packed bout against Mike Rubino. After getting taken down midway through the opening period, Paige got a reversal to level the match after Rubino escaped, Paige was right there for a takedown to take a 4-3 lead into the second period. Across the final two periods, Paige earned four takedowns and an escape to secure the 14-5 major decision.
Aggies Claim Final Five Bouts
Delaware Valley would go on to claim the final five bouts of the afternoon with a trio of falls from Chris Richardson (165 lbs.), Youssef Ait Boulahri (174 lbs.), and Dan Eckley (285 lbs.) highlighting the comeback. A decision from Jake Nase at 184 lbs. and a forfeit from Messiah at 197 lbs. completed the scoring as the Aggies were able to comeback for the 31-22 victory.
What's Up Next
The Falcons and Aggies have a total of three duals on the schedule this season. The second of their three duals is scheduled to take place on Tuesday night when Delaware Valley travels back to Grantham. Expect a different line-up from the Falcons in the two teams second meeting. The Falcons are expected to put three different line-ups together for the three duals against the Aggies. Tuesday's dual is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m.
Delaware Valley defeats Messiah - 31-22
125 -
Payton Jackson (M) wins by for.
133 -
Joshua Flores (M) wins by for.
141 - Russell Benson (DV) wins by maj. dec. (14-2) over
Trevor McGowan (M)
149 -
Nick Nunez (M) fall (4:43) over Zach Zuckerman (DV)
157 -
Joshua Paige (M) maj. dec. (14-5) over Mike Rubino (DV)
165 - Chris Richardson (DV) fall (3:52) over
Tyler Riley (M)
174 - Youssef Ait Boulahri (DV) fall (3:52) over
Wyatt Bingaman (M)
184 - Jake Nase (DV) dec. (7-5) over
Donte Hibbert (M)
197 - Isaiah Johnson (DV) wins by for.
285 - Dan Eckley (DV) fall (2:24) over
Hayden Benner (M)
Exhibition - Carter Owen (DV) maj. dec. (12-0) over
Joshua Flores (M)
Exhibition - Austin Williams (DV) fall (6:11) over
Christian Conner (M)
Exhibition - Carter Owen (DV) dec. (5-0) over
Payton Jackson (M)
Exhibition - Isaiah Johnson (DV) fall (6:16) over
Christian Conner (M)
