No. 7 Lakers Defeat Cardinals Wrestlers

By: Chris Myers

Damon Outward (right) prevailed for a major decision at 141.

Wrestling | 1/15/2016 9:37:00 PM

ERIE, Pa. – After taking two of the opening three matches, No. 17 Wheeling Jesuit could not hold the momentum as No. 7 Mercyhurst University claimed the next five bouts on the way to a 30-10 win.

At 197, Terrance Fanning continued his strong run with an upset of the No. 4 Super Region I rated Jamar Henry by a 6-2 decision. Nolan Whitely (133) and Damon Outward (141) helped WJU (8-4) start strong with decision and major decision wins for an early 7-6 lead.

"We wrestled a very good Mercyhurst team this evening with five to six wrestlers that have been All-Americans in their career. We won three matches with Nolan, Damon and Terrance all battling hard to pick up victories," said Cardinals head coach Sean Doyle. "Terrance knocked off the No. 4-ranked wrestler in the region and continues to make great strides. We've now faced four of the top 15 programs (NCAA Division II) programs in a row and are quickly learning some lessons. It's critical that we have 10 guys that understand the process and not the immediate results. We're getting there."

Once again, 149-pound Dominick Nania proved he can wrestle with anyone in the country. The junior lost a tight 4-2 decision to the No. 3-ranked wrestler in the country, Jeremy Landowski.

The Lakers (6-3) scored bonus points from their other three nationally-ranked wrestlers at 165 No. 3 Francis Mizia (fall), 174 No. 3 August Mizia (tech fall) and 285 No. 7 Andy Welton (major decision).

Sawyer Leppla returned to the WJU lineup, but fell in a close 6-5 decision at 184. In the first match of the night, Dustin Warner (125) suffered only his third loss of the season in an 11-4 upset by Willie Bohince.

WJU heads home where it will host the 3^rd Annual West Virginia Collegiate Invitational next Saturday, Jan. 23.

No. 7 Mercyhurst 30, No. 17 Wheeling Jesuit 10
125 – Willie Bohince (Mercyhurst) dec. Dustin Warner (WJU), 11-4 –– MU 3-0
133 – Nolan Whitely (WJU) dec. Kevin Kinyua (Mercyhurst), 3-2 –– Tied 3-3
141 – Damon Outward (WJU) maj. dec. Joel Bowers (Mercyhurst), 15-6 –– WJU 7-3
149 – Jeremy Landowski (Mercyhurst) dec. Dominick Nania (WJU), 4-2 –– WJU 7-6
157 – Michael Griffith (Mercyhurst) fall Reyse Wallbrown (WJU), 2:17 –– MU 12-7
165 – Francis Mizia (Mercyhurst) fall Peyton Geary, 2:15 –– MU 18-7
174 – August Mizia (Mercyhurst) tech fall Nate Starkey (WJU), 16-1 (2:42) –– MU 23-7
184 – Angelo Bortoluzzi (Mercyhurst) dec. Sawyer Leppla (WJU), 6-5 –– MU 26-7
197 – Terrance Fanning (WJU) dec. Jamar Henry (Mercyhurst), 6-2 –– MU 26-10
285 – Andy Welton (Mercyhurst) maj. dec. Logan Bowman (WJU), 10-0 –– MU 30-10

-GoCards-