READING, Pa. - The Messiah wrestling team dropped a Saturday night dual against the Alvernia Golden Wolves by a 29-13 final. The Falcons took an early 9-6 lead thanks to a fall from Josiah Gehr at 141 lbs. Nick Barnhart earned a major decision at 157 lbs. to push Messiah's lead to 13-9, but the Golden Wolves controlled the second half of the dual, earning the 29-13 victory.
 
Messiah moves to 6-7 in dual this season and will be back in action next weekend with part of the team traveling to Wheaton for the Wheaton Invitational and part of the team competing at the Alvernia Quad next Saturday.
 
How It Happened
Alvernia took an early six-point lead due to an early medical forfeit at 125 lbs., but the Falcons responded with back-to-back victories from Jordan Howard and Josiah Gehr at 133 lbs. and 141 lbs. Howard earned a hard-fought 3-1 decision over Kyle Seibert to get Messiah on the board. Gehr followed at 141 lbs. with a fall in just 1:46 against Quinn Tobin to put the Falcons on top 9-in the team standings.
 
After Alvernia's Jason Rezac earned a 5-2 decision at 149 lbs., Messiah's Nick Barnhart claimed a 10-1 major decision against Robert Lawlor at 157 lbs. With the major decision, Barnhart remains undefeated against Division III competition this season, bosting an overall record of 26-1 against all competition.
 
Following Barnhart's victory, Messiah took a 13-9 lead in the team score. Alvernia proceeded to rattle off five-striaght victories to claim the match 29-13. The Golden Wolves claimed a tech fall at 165 lbs., a first-period pin at 285 lbs., and three decisions at 174 lbs., 184 lbs., and 197 lbs.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will be back in action next weekend at the Wheaton Invitational and the Alvernia Quad. Messiah will send the bulk of their starting line-up to the Wheaton Invitational for a two-day tournament that begins on Friday morning and continues on Saturday. The rest of the team will head back to Reading for competition hosted by Alvernia next Saturay.
 
Alvernia defeats Messiah - 29-13
125 - Keito Shaw (AU) MED. FOR. over Hunter Rinehart (MES) 0:24
133 - Jordan Howard (MES) DEC. over Kyle Seibert (AU), 3-1
141 - Josiah Gehr (MES) FALL over Quinn Tobin (AU), 1:46
149 - Jason Rezac (AU) DEC. over Jake Coniglio (MESI), 5-2
157 - Nick Barnhart (MES) MAJ DEC. over Robert Lawlor (AU), 10-1
165 - Matt Lackman (AU) TECH FALL over Ike Bryner (MES), 19-2 5:25
174 - Gavin Hollingsworth (AU) DEC. over John Sumner (MES), 9-5
184 - Isaac Kassis (AU) DEC over Ryder Slayton (MES), 8-3
197 - Tonee Ellis (AU) DEC over Christopher Cratsley (MES), 12-6
285 - Palmer Rodenhaber (AU) FALL over Carter Urich (MES), 2:37

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