FORT WAYNE, Ind.—The ninth-ranked Lake Erie College wrestling team finished the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals in seventh place Saturday (Jan. 9).
The Storm opened the day against third-ranked University of Nebraska-Kearney. The Lopers jumped out to a 13-0 lead after the opening three weights. Nick Boggs (Concord, Ohio/Riverside) for the Storm on the board with a 7-1 decision over Brett LaBudda. The Lopers won a decision at 157-pounds but Matt Vandermeer (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) answered for the Storm with a 4-0 decision at 165-pounds against Isaac Deaton. After falling at 174-pounds, Tyler Hughes (Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick) won at 184-pounds by major decision, 8-0, against Mike Lambert. Evan Rosborough (Concord, Ohio/Riverside) picked up a huge win at 197-pounds, upsetting top-ranked Romero Cotton in sudden victory, 4-2. However, the Lopers won the heavyweight match to secure the dual win.
In the seventh-place match, the Storm faced Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) foe and 12th-ranked Tiffin University. Austin Gillihan (Corry, Pa./Corry Area) opened the dual with a 16-0 tech fall against Giuseppe Penzone. The Dragons then won back-to-back matches at 141- and 149-pounds to take a 9-5 lead. Christian Baughman (Wadsworth, Ohio/Wadsworth) got the Storm back on track with a 5-4 decision against Samphanh Viengmany at 157-pounds. Matt Vandermeer got the second straight win for the Storm with a 3-1 decision over Jett Hurt at 165-pounds. The Storm continued to roll as Nicholas Vandermeer (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) tech falled Jacob Carrisales, 18-0, at 174-pounds. At 184-pounds, Hughes won a close 2-1 decision against Jared Chambers for the Storm's fourth straight win, extending their lead to 19-9. The Dragons picked up a decision win at 197-pounds and a forfeit at heavyweight but it was not enough to overcome the Storm advantage.
The Storm is back in action Friday (Jan. 15) against the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown in Painesville.
-LEC-
