Wheeling, W. Va. - The 2025-2026 dual meet schedule kicked off with a bang for the Wheeling University Wrestling team (1-0, 1-0) as they earned a big win over Frostburg State last Wednesday. The Cardinals continue that dual meet schedule Wednesday night when they welcome in Washington & Jefferson at 7 PM. Wheeling looks to keep the momentum going on the mat as they compete in their first non-conference dual of the season. 

The Cardinals had never defeated Frostburg State before Wednesday night's match and came out strong off the gate. In the 125lb match, Wheeling would earn their first six points of the night to get out to the lead. The Bobcats got five of those back with a tech fall at 133, but the Cardinals would hit a run to open the scoring up. They would pick up a Major Decision at 141 and a Decision at 149 as they increased their lead to 13-5. Frostburg State wasn't done yet, as they rattled off three straight victories at 157, 165, and 174 as they flipped the scoreboard to make it a 15-13 match. Wheeling would bounce back with a major decision at 184, but a decision at 197 for the Bobcats gave them a one-point lead. It all came down to the heavyweight match, and the Cardinals would end up stealing the victory with six points on a pin as they went on to win 23-18. 

Leading the effort for the Cardinals was Gavin Harper in the heavyweight class, coming through when his team needed him the most. He would take on Frostburg State's Colton Yonkin and, through the first minute, Harper was able to keep his opponent at arm's length. Once a minute hit on the clock, Harper dove in for his attack, getting Yonkin to the ground, before flipping him on his back for the pin. It was the win the Cardinals needed as they put six point on the board and won the dual meet 23-18. For Harper, it was his fifth win of the season, moving his record to 5-0 with all five of those wins coming via pinfall. Last Wednesday's pin was his fastest of the season and his third pin in the first period of a match. He looks to continue his success for the Cardinals as they continue through their dual meet schedule. 

The day would also start with a pinfall as Neal Krysty got things started in the 125lb weight class. Krysty had an early 7-1 advantage and as the first period was coming to an end, he flipped his opponent into a near fall. With two seconds left in the period, Krysty would get his opponent on his back, securing his first collegiate pin and improving his season record to 5-2 through seven matches. The other big match of the night would come in the 184lb bout, where Kyle Snider got his team-leading sixth win of the season. After building a 9-4 lead through the first two periods, Snider would secure a big takedown late to make it 12-4. It would add a much needed team point to the Cardinal score with a Major Decision, allowing Wheeling to be trailing by just one point rather than two heading into the decisive match of the night. 

As they continue their dual meet schedule, the Cardinals are looking to establish themselves in the dual meet field. The Cardinals have only competed in six dual matches over the last three seasons, and will already reach that number in early December of this season. With a full roster on their side and some depth to add onto that, the Cardinals are looking to get some of that depth some experience as the season goes on. Head Coach Shane Brown talked about getting some of their freshman wrestlers on the mat this week, giving his starters a breather after a tough week of matches. The Cardinals look to continue growing on the mat and set themselves up for success in the tournament field as well as on the dual meet mat. 

The Match-up 

The Cardinals and Presidents are meeting for the second time in program history, with Wheeling leading the all-time series at 1-0. It will be Washington & Jefferson's first-ever trip to the Alma Grace McDonough Center, after Wheeling visited Washington & Jefferson last season. The Cardinals won the first match-up, scoring 35 points, and look to continue that success as they play the home half of the series. 

The first meeting between the two teams came back on November 13th, 2024, in a match-up that the Cardinals won 35-11. Leading the way with a pair of tech falls for the Cardinals was former Cardinals Ethan Aguniga and Caden Canning at 149 and 157 respectively. Gavin Haper would round out the day with a Major Decision in the 285LB weight class to wrap up the effort.  

The Details 

The first match for Wednesday's dual is scheduled for 7 PM inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center. You can watch the action live by clicking HERE.