TIFFIN, Ohio -- The Lake Erie wrestling team was back on the road this weekend for the Regional Duals on the campus of Tiffin University. Despite being down many starters, the Storm fought hard and finished with a 1-2 record.
The Storm kicked off the duals with a matchup against #25 Glenville State. Just a week earlier, the two teams faced off but it was the Pioneers who came out on top 24-19. This weekend, Glenville State came out swinging. They won six of the first seven matches including three by fall.
Carsen Richards (141),
Jordan Barnett (184), and
Paul Scaramuzzino (197) would account for the only Storm victories in the match. Richards won his on a 12-9 decision, Barnett won by fall in just 43 seconds, and Scaramuzzino took down his opponent by technical fall, 18-1. In the end, Lake Erie would suffer a 36-14 loss.
In their second dual of the day, the Storm faced fellow Cleveland opponent, Notre Dame College. The Falcons would end up forfeiting three of their matches, while the Storm forfeited two themselves. In the four matches that took place, Lake Erie took three of them.
Blake Sheppard starting things off with a 9-2 decision win at 125. Brendan Hamiltion followed up his teammate's victory with a pin at 2:20.
Austin Fietz (149) capped off the final victory with a 18-9 major decision win to help the Storm defeat the Falcons 31-15.
Lake Erie's final matchup of the day came against another ranked opponent in #16 Grand Valley State. The Storm got off to a very hot start against the Lakers. They won their first four matches and went up 18-0.
Anthony Sagaris (TF, 15-0), Brendan Hamilton (Fall, 1:31),
Carsen Richards (MD, 15-1), and
Austin Fietz (Decision, 9-7) all defeated their opponents in the process. Unfortunately, the Storm would lose three of their next five matchups and forfeit two. This would give the Lakers a 22-18 lead with one matchup remaining.
Dylan Norris (285) would defeat his opponent by decision but it would end up not being enough as Grand Valley took the victory, 22-21.
The Storm will be back in action on January 27th for the Great Midwest Championships in Tiffin, Ohio before competing in three straight home duals to finish out regular season competition.
