PAINESVILLE, Ohio (Jan. 21) - Despite missing multiple nationally ranked individuals, the No. 4 Wheeling Jesuit University wrestling team went on the road and defeated Lake Erie College 26-24 in a dual Monday afternoon. The contest was originally scheduled for Sunday, but was postponed due to the weather.
The Cardinals improve to 13-3 overall in duals this season and establish a new program-record for dual wins in a single-season. The 2016-17 squad finished 12-6 overall in duals.
"It was a good win tonight," Head Coach
Danny Irwin said. "It has been a tough four days between Mercyhurst Friday and the dual today. The team had to work through adversity between the dual being postponed, holding weight and some van issues today that threw off our routine. All involved held themselves accountable and it's nice to see it pay off."
With the dual tied at 15-15, the Cardinals got crucial bonus points from sophomore
Connor Craig (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) and junior
Greg Brusco (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes) at 174 and 184, respectively. Craig notched a technical fall, while Brusco earned a fall at 4:51 to make the score 26-15.
"Excited to have Brusco competing again" Irwin added. "He is an absolute warrior and it showed tonight knocking off one of the best 84 pounders in the country. Others might be surprised to see that, but no one in our family is!"
"It was a great first match back and the team wrestled good," Brusco said. "Excited to see what the rest of the season has for us."
Lake Erie drew closer on the final tally with a decision and a fall in the final two bouts, but the damage was done and the Cardinals secured their 12th dual win of the season.
The Cardinals return home to the McDonough Center on Saturday morning for the West Virginia Collegiate Open. The event will feature five schools from West Virginia in a multi-mat bracket-style event.
No. 4 Wheeling Jesuit 26, Lake Erie 24
