WESTMINSTER, Md. – The No. 19 Messiah University Wrestling team was in action at McDaniel College on Saturday, first facing Shenandoah University then host McDaniel College. The Falcons opened the day with a dominant 47-0 win over Shenandoah University that featured falls for
Nate Kovalcik and
Micah Martinez. The No. 19 Falcons then earned the 29-15 team victory over No. 24 McDaniel, behind falls from
Caiden Heller and
Drew Kozubal and a technical fall from
Keegan Demarest.
Messiah returns to the mats on Saturday, Dec. 20, when they host the Chocolate Duals beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Hitchcock Arena.
Messiah University vs Shenandoah University
In the first bout of the day,
Keegan Demarest faced Aidan Kammer and looked for an early takedown, but the pair ended up out of bounds. As the pair recentered, Demarest earned a quick takedown and nearfall points to take a 6-0 lead. As he's done most of the season, Demarest took full control of the match, allowing Kammer to escape before earning another takedown. Demarest claimed the 21-6 first-period technical fall in 2:25.
Action moved to 174 lbs. where
Drew Kozubal would face Tyler-Nicholas Ritz. The pair battled for the first minute and a half before Ritz secured a takedown to take a 3-0 lead. Ritz was looking to turn Kozubal, but Kozubal notched a reversal to cut the deficit to 3-2 as the first period came to a close. Kozubal opted to start down for the second period, looking to gain an escape. As the first minute passed by, Kozubal used a quick turn to earn his second reversal and take a 4-3 lead. At the buzzer, Kozubal picked up four nearfall points for an 8-3 lead with one period remaining. Kozubal picked up a takedown for an 11-3 lead with 1:30 remaining. Kozubal earned three nearfall points and a riding time point to secure the 15-3 major decision and give the Falcons a 9-0 lead.
Nate Kovalcik was in action at 184 lbs. against Jake Birth. Birth was given an early stall call before Kovalcik earned the takedown and took a 3-0 lead. Kovalcik kept control to end the period and chose to start bottom for the second period. It only took 15 seconds for Kovalcik to pick up the reversal and regain control of the match. Kovalcik let Birth escape with just over a minute remaining in the second period before securing another takedown for the 11-2 lead before securing the fall in 4:38.
At 197 lbs.,
Sergio Garcia faced Dylan Weigert. Garcia picked up an early takedown on the edge of the circle. Weigert escaped and the pair began to battle back in the middle of the circle. Garcia earned a takedown in the middle of the circle and worked to flip Weigert to earn some near fall points but was unable to gain the advantage and took a 6-1 lead into the second period. Garcia opted to start down and earned a quick reversal for the 8-1 lead. A stall gave Garcia an added point, leading 9-1 with one period remaining. Garcia earned a takedown with about 30 seconds remaining as well as a riding time point to secure the 14-1 major decision, increasing the team score to 19-0 in favor of Messiah.
Micah Martinez was in action at 285 lbs. over Daniel Basil-Barker. Martinez earned an early first period takedown and four nearfall points to take a 7-0 lead just 30 seconds in. As the pair recentered after leaving the circle, Martinez kept control before securing the fall in 1:19.
Action then moved to 125 lbs., with
Austin Jeffrey facing Damien Costello. Jeffrey earned a takedown just 10 seconds in to take control of the match. Costello earned an escape before Jeffrey was able to score a takedown before choosing to let Costello out, holding a 6-2 lead. Costello looked to attack but Jeffrey countered for the takedown before Costello had a third escape to being the score to 9-3 in favor of Jeffrey. Jeffrey earned another quick takedown to take a 12-3 lead that he would take into the second period. In the second period, Jeffrey secured a takedown just five seconds in before letting Costello up. He earned another takedown and let Costello up, holding an 18-5 lead before one final takedown would give Jeffrey the 21-5 technical fall in 3:43.
Tyler Ratledge was next in action at 133 lbs. against Colby Jones. Ratledge claimed a quick takedown before the pair ended up out of bounds. Jones earned the escape before Ratledge secured another takedown for the 6-1 lead. Jones secured a quick escape after a reset in the middle to bring the score to 6-2 with about 1:30 left in the first period. Jones looked to attack but Ratledge was able to secure the top position for the 9-2 lead that he would take into the second period. Ratledge selected bottom to start the second period and escaped quickly. Jones earned a takedown before an illegal move gave Ratledge a point. Ratledge held an 11-5 lead heading into the third period before a neutral start. Jones earned a takedown and let Ratledge up. Jones looked for another takedown, but Ratledge countered and secured the takedown and took a 15-8 lead with a minute remaining. Jones escaped but Ratledge secured a takedown to take an 18-9 lead and remained on top to secure a riding time point for the 19-9 major decision.
At 141 lbs.,
Jacob Cunningham and Sean Rinebolt were evenly matched for the first 30 seconds, with each wrestler looking to secure a takedown. It looked as if Rinebolt was going to secure the takedown, but Cunningham was able to take advantage and gain the takedown before the ref called them out of bounds and recentered them. Rinebolt earned a quick escape to bring the score to 3-1 in favor of Cunningham. Rinebolt continued to look for a takedown, but Cunningham was able to defend strongly against the attempts. Cunningham looked to secure a takedown, but the pair wrestled out of bounds before a takedown was awarded. As the pair reset, Rinebolt took a shot, but Cunningham again remained strong defensively and Cunningham took a 3-1 lead into the second period. Rinebolt selected bottom for the second period and secured a quick escape before Cunningham earned the takedown and two nearfall points to take an 8-2 lead. An escape from Rinebolt was followed by more action before the pair left the circle. Rinebolt again went for the takedown, but Cunninham secured the position for the takedown and four nearfall points for the 15-3 lead. Cunningham chose neutral and secured the takedown in just 12 seconds to earn the 18-3 technical fall in 5:12.
Levi Snyder took on Griffin Stewart at 149 lbs. and earned his first takedown around :45 in. After a pair of resets, Stewart escaped with just over a minute remaining in the first period. Snyder secured the takedown and four nearfall points before Stewart escaped for the 9-2 lead. A last second takedown gave Snyder the 13-2 lead going into the final period. Snyder took a 16-3 lead after a takedown and escape by Stewart before Snyder secured a takedown for the 19-3 technical fall in 4:16, giving Messiah the 44-0 lead with one match remaining.
At 157 lbs.,
Noah Rice and Noah Diamond faced off in the closest bout of the day. The pair battled through the first three minutes and remained scoreless after the first period. Rice chose to start bottom for the second period and secured his escape 15 seconds in. Diamond secured a takedown and three nearfall points before Rice earned the escape to bring his deficit to 6-3. Rice secured a throw as the end of the second period approached to tie the score 6-6 with one period remaining. Diamond chose to start down but Rice chose to start neutral to give Diamond the 7-6 lead. The pair were tied 7-7 as Diamond pushed Rice out and a stall was called to give Rice a point. Rice secured a takedown with :45 remaining before the pair were out of bounds. Diamond used a roll to earn a reversal to be down 10-9 but Rice was able to hold on for the 10-9 decision and give the Falcons the 47-0 victory.
Messiah University vs McDaniel College
The match opened with an exhibition match at 197 lbs. between
Sergio Garcia and Soren Wynn. Garcia secured the 6-3 decision.
Dual action began at 184 lbs. with
Nate Kovalcik taking on Alex Taylor. The pair were even to begin as Kovalcik took a shot, but Taylor was able to secure the takedown. Kovalcik escaped to bring the score to 3-1 in favor of Taylor. Taylor looked to secure a second takedown, but the pair were out of bounds and reset to the center. The score remained 3-1 as Taylor selected bottom to start the second period and was able to secure the escape for the 4-1 lead. The pair continued to battle in the middle before the action took them out. In the final 20 seconds of the second period, neither wrestler scored so the 4-1 lead held. Kovalcik selected bottom and earned the early escape to make it a 4-2 match in favor of Taylor with 1:30 remaining. Kovalcik went for the takedown, but Taylor was able to counter and earn the takedown before Kovalcik escaped for a 7-3 deficit. Kovalcik was close to the takedown, but the pair ended out for Taylor to take the 7-3 decision to give McDaniel the 3-0 team lead.
Next, at 197 lbs.,
Tucker Seidel took on Isaac Ogunlade. Seidel was able to take an early 3-0 lead with a strong takedown. As the pair were reset to the center, Seidel let Ogunlade out for a 3-1 lead. With 10 seconds remaining in the first period. Seidel earned a takedown for a 6-1 lead into the second period. Ogunlade chose bottom to start the second period and Seidel continued his strong dominance on top through the first 1:20 of the second before the pair ended up out. Seidel opted to start neutral as they reset to the middle for a 6-2 lead. Seidel started down and earned the escape point before a takedown and held an 11-2 lead with a minute remaining. A stall point gave Seidel a 13-2 lead and a riding time point gave Seidel the 14-2 major decision to give Seidel the 4-3 lead.
Kaleb Britting was in action at 285 lbs. for Messiah against Kaden Bryan. The pair were evenly matched for the first minute as they both looked for a takedown. The pair remained scoreless through the first period as Bryan chose bottom and earned the reversal about 30 seconds in to take a 2-0 lead. The pair started the third period neutral before Britting secured a takedown with :45 remaining. Bryan earned the escape at the edge of the circle before Britting was called for a stall and Bryan was awarded the point for the 4-3 decision.
 At 125 lbs.,
Micah Lozano faced Romeo Tsai. Lozano attempted a shot, but Tsai was able to secure the takedown before a quick escape from Lozano brought the score to 3-1 in favor of Tsai. Tsai earned another takedown to jump to a 6-1 lead. Following an injury time. Tsai extended his lead to 8-1, that held through the end of the first period. Tsai chose bottom to start the second and earned a quick escape. Lozano secured a takedown to bring the score to 9-4 in favor of Tsai. Lozano was able to turn Tsai and earn four nearfall points to only trail 9-8. Tsai claimed a reversal late in the second for the 11-8 lead with one period remaining. Lozano started down for the third period and the pair ended out of bounds to be recentered with about 1:30 remaining. Lozano earned the escape with about a minute left to bring the score to 11-9 and a riding time point for Tsai gave him the 12-9 decision to give McDaniel the 9-4 team lead.
Caiden Heller was in action at 133 lbs. against Andrew Yuen. Yuen claimed a quick takedown in the first period for an early 3-0 lead. Heller earned the escape before claiming a late takedown to hold a 4-3 lead after the first period. Heller chose to start bottom for the second period and earned the escape and a takedown for an 8-3 lead. Heller was able to roll Yuen and earned the fall in 4:25 to take a 10-9 team lead.
At 141 lbs.,
Jacob Cunningham returned to the mat against Andrew Dolezel. The pair battled early before Cunningham secured a takedown before Dolezel escaped with a minute remaining in the first period. Dolezel looked for a takedown of his own, but Cunningham was strong defensively to remain up 3-1. Cunningham chose to start bottom and earned the escape for the 4-1 win. A takedown from Cunningham led to a 7-1 lead that would hold to the end of the end of the second period. Dolezel started down and earned the escape with 1:30 remaining. Dolezel looked for a takedown, but Cunningham again used his defensive strength to earn the takedown and the 11-2 major decision.
Dalton Monger was in action at 149 lbs. against Thomas Monn. The pair were tangled for the first minute before Monn secured the takedown. Monger earned an escape and looked for a takedown of his own. Monger went for a shot, but Monn was able to capitalize and earn his second takedown, holding a 6-1 lead into the second period. Monn started down in the second and secured a reversal before securing the fall in 3:28 to give McDaniel the 15-14 team lead.
At 157 lbs.,
Noah Rice faced Andre Allen. Rice secured a takedown a minute into the first period and earned four nearfall points for a quick 7-0 lead. Allen earned the reversal to take control but after a reset to the center, Rice claimed a quick escape and took an 8-2 lead heading into the second period. Rice started the second period down and escaped with 1:30 remaining. A stall gave Rice the 10-2 lead. A scoreless third gave Rice the 10-2 major decision, regaining the team lead with an 18-15 score.
Keegan Demarest continued his dominance at 165 lbs. against AJ Kuntz, earning an early takedown and letting Kuntz up before a second takedown for a 6-1 lead. Demarest released Kuntz a second time for the 6-2 lead just 30 seconds in. Demarest secured a takedown with a quick escape from Kuntz and another takedown for the 12-3 lead just a minute in. Kuntz escaped before Demarest again regained control with a takedown for the 15-3 lead. In a matter of seconds, Demarest secured the 21-6 technical fall in 2:08 to give the Falcons the team lead at 23-15.
In the final match of the day,
Drew Kozubal was in action at 174 lbs. against Avery Cummings. Kozubal took a 3-0 lead about 30 seconds in with a takedown. Cummings earned the escape and the battle continued. Cummings was called for a stall at the edge of the circle and the pair reset in the center. Cummings went for the takedown, but Kozubal remained defensive and earned the takedown and looked for nearfall points but held the 6-1 lead. Cummings earned the escape before giving up a point for unsportsmanlike conduct to give Kozubal the 7-2 lead heading into the second period. Cummings started the second period down and Kozubal earned four nearfall points. Cummings claimed a reversal to gain control, trailing Kozubal 11-4. With 35 seconds remaining, Kozubal earned a reversal of his own and held a four count nearfall before securing the fall in 4:56, giving the Falcons a 29-15 team victory.
Up Next
Messiah returns to the mats on Saturday, Dec. 20, when they host the Chocolate Duals beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Hitchcock Arena.
Messiah – 47 Shenandoah – 0
165 lbs. –
Keegan Demarest over Aidan Kammer (TF 21-6, 2:25)
174 lbs. –
Drew Kozubal over Tyler-Nicholas Ritz (MD 15-3)
184 lbs. –
Nate Kovalcik over Jake Birth (Fall 4:38)
197 lbs. –
Sergio Garcia over Dylan Weigert (MD 14-1)
285 lbs. –
Micah Martinez over Daniel Basil-Barker (Fall 1:19)
125 lbs. –
Austin Jeffrey over Damien Costello (TF 21-5, 3:43)
133 lbs. –
Tyler Ratledge over Colby Jones (MD 19-9)
141 lbs. –
Jacob Cunningham over Sean Rinebolt (TF 18-3, 5:12)
149 lbs. –
Levi Snyder over Griffin Stewart (TF 19-3, 4:16)
157 lbs. –
Noah Rice over Noah Diamond (Dec. 10-9)
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Messiah – 29 McDaniel – 15
184 lbs. – Alex Taylor over
Nate Kovalcik (Dec. 7-3)
197 lbs. –
Tucker Seidel over Isaac Ogunlade (MD 14-2)
285 lbs. – Kaden Bryan over
Kaleb Britting (Dec. 4-3)
125 lbs. – Romeo Tsai over
Micah Lozano (Dec. 12-9)
133 lbs. –
Caiden Heller over Andrew Yuen (Fall 4:25)
141 lbs. –
Jacob Cunningham over Andrew Dolezel (MD 11-2)
149 lbs. – Thomas Monn over
Dalton Monger (Fall 3:28)
157 lbs. –
Noah Rice over Andre Allen (MD 10-2)
165 lbs. –
Keegan Demarest over AJ Kuntz (TF 21-6, 2:08)
174 lbs. –
Drew Kozubal over Avery Cummings (Fall 4:56)
Ex: 197 lbs. –
Sergio Garcia over Soren Wynn (Dec. 6-3)
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