GRANTHAM, Pa. - The Messiah wrestling team hosted the annual Messiah Open on Saturday afternoon.
Clay Gainer (157 lbs.) highlighted the effort for the Falcons, going 3-1 and taking home runner-up honors at 157 lbs.
Micah Kunkle (197 lbs.) also earned a runner-up finish, but needed just one victory in a smaller bracket to reach the first-place match.
While there was no team scoring in the open, Messiah finished the Open with five different wrestlers placing in the top eight in their weight class. Four other Falcons also turned in multiple victories on the afternoon.
The Falcons will be back in action on Friday when they honor their senior class ahead of their dual with Delaware Valley at 7:00 p.m. in Hitchcock Arena.
Five Falcons Place
Clay Gainer (157 lbs.) had the most impressive day for the Falcons, taking a runner-up finish at 157 lbs. Gainer earned three-straight victories to move into the championship bout. Gainer started his day with an 11-3 major decision before back-to-back 7-2 decisions punched his ticket to the 157 lbs. final. While he was pinned in the third period of the final, Gainer took home a runner-up finish with a strong showing at 157 lbs.
Micah Kunkle started his day in the quarterfinals at 197 lbs. after a bye in the opening round. Kunkle earned a 10-6 decision over Lycoming's Ivan Neal to move into the semifinals. After a medical forfeit, Kunkle was in the first-place match. And while he dropped a major decision in the championship bout, Kunkle took home runner-up honors at 197 lbs.
Caiden Heller (133 lbs.) took home third place at 133 lbs. Heller earned a pair of falls on the afternoon and an impressive 19-5 major decision in the third-place match against Connor Demcher (Pitt-Johnstown, Unattached).It was the second time that Heller faced Demcher on the day. In the quarterfinals, Heller earned a 7-3 decision over Demcher. On the day, Heller went 4-1 with a pair of falls, a major decision, and a decision.
Jared Butler took home seventh place at 165 lbs. Butler finished his day with a victory, winning the seventh-place match and ending his trip through the bracket with a 4-2 record. Butler dropped his first match of the day in the second round, but pinned his way through his first three consolation bouts before landing in the seventh-place match. Butler earned a 5-1 decision against Luke Theis (TCNJ) to cap off a quality day with a victory.
Nathan Kovalcik took home eighth place at 184 lbs., going 2-3 on the day. Kovalcik's day was highlighted by an 11-2 major decision over Matthew Knapp (Lycoming) in the consolation bracket.
Other Notable Performances
Camerin Deville (149 lbs.) picked up two victories on Saturday with a second period fall in his first match of the tournament and a 9-2 decision to move into the quarterfinals. While he dropped his next two bouts, Deville had a quality day, finishing 2-2 on the afternoon.
Like Deville, Micky Hollar (157 lbs.) earned a pair of victories to start his day. Hollar earned dominate victories to punch his ticket to the quarterfinals, claiming a 15-0 technical fall and a 13-5 major decision before being upended in back-to-back matches. He finished his day with a strong 2-2 record.
Andrew Kozubal (165 lbs.) dropped his first match of the day, but battled through the consolation bracket with a pair of victories with a 17-2 technical fall and a 16-6 major decision. Kozubal saw his day come to an end in the consolation fourth round in a tight decision.
Austin Brass earned a pair of victories on the day, starting his run through the brackets at 174 lbs. with a second-period fall in 3:29. After losing his second-round match, Brass picked up an 11-1 major decision in the consolation bracket before finishing his day with a 2-2 record.
What's Up Next
The Falcons will be back in action next weekend with a pair of duals. On Friday night, the Falcons host Delaware Valley at 7:00 p.m. in Hitchcock Arena and on Saturday, Messiah caps off the regular season against The College of New Jersey at 12:00 p.m. in Brubaker Auditorium.
