ELKINS, W.Va. (Jan. 9) - For the first time in 672 days, the Wheeling University wrestling team competed when it took on both Davis & Elkins and Fairmont State to open the season Saturday morning.

The host-Senators began the day with a 46-6 win over Wheeling. The Cardinals battled Fairmont State in the second dual of the afternoon, but eventually fell 27-15 to conclude first-year Head Coach Daniel Ownbey's first time in the Wheeling corner.

"I am very pleased with how these young men wrestled today! They came back to campus with an amazing attitude and are buying in," said Ownbey. "I'm so excited to see what our future holds."

"The outcome of our matches did not show how well everyone fought today," he added. "We still have work to do, but we are headed in the right direction."

The shorthanded Cardinals were forced to forfeit six matches against Davis and Elkins, but a fall at 2:05 by Clarouly Meca (North Miami, Fla./North Miami) got Wheeling onto the scoreboard.

The Cardinals scored a decision, fall and a forfeit in their loss to Fairmont State to close out the day. Norman Richmond (Portland, Ore./Jefferson) earned the second fall of the day for Wheeling at 165 at the 4:40-mark of his tilt. Deshawn Mercadel (San Jacinto, Calif./Arlington) bounced back to pick up an 8-5 decision at 184.

"Our future is very bright and we are building an amazing foundation with these young men."


DUAL ONE: Davis & Elkins 46, Wheeling 6
 
•          125: Nicholas Ammirati (D&E) over (WHL) (For.)
•          133: Vincent Scollo (D&E) over Chase Montgomery (WHL) (Dec 11-4)
•          141: Eian Harper (D&E) over (WHL) (For.)
•          149: Craig Cook (D&E) over (WHL) (For.)
•          157: John Finnerty (D&E) over (WHL) (For.)
•          165: Noah Tarr (D&E) over Norman Richmond (WHL) (Dec 9-5)
•          174: Chad Tracy (D&E) over (WHL) (For.)
•          184: Kyle Wojtaszek (D&E) over Deshawn Mercadel (WHL) (MD 10-1)
•          197: Michael Schneider (D&E) over (WHL) (For.)
•          285: Clarouly Meca (WHL) over Joshua Sanders (D&E) (Fall 2:05)
 
DUAL TWO: Fairmont State 27, Wheeling 15

•          125: No match
•          133: Chase Montgomery (WHL) over (FSU) (For.)
•          149: Lukas Martin (FSU) over (WHL) (For.)
•          157: Alex Jablonski (FSU) over (WHL) (For.)
•          165: Norman Richmond (WHL) over Taven Swick (FSU) (Fall 4:40)
•          174: Cade Moisey (FSU) over (WHL) (For.)
•          184: Deshawn Mercadel (WHL) over Tucker Lawson (FSU) (Dec 8-5)
•          197: Riley Gallagher (FSU) over (WHL) (For.)
•          285: TJ Boyd (FSU) over Clarouly Meca (WHL) (Dec 3-0)