Wheeling, W. Va. – Over the last two weeks, the Wheeling University Wrestling team (2-0, 1-0) has flexed their muscles on the dual meet stage, getting off to a 2-0 start to the season. They look to carry that momentum with them into the tournament field as they head to the Findlay Open on Saturday, with matches beginning at 9 AM. The Cardinal's young wrestlers have gotten more and more experience on the mat, and look to continue their growth on the tournament stage.
Last time out, the Cardinals would welcome in Washington & Jefferson College for their second straight dual meet. It would start off with a bang for the Cardinals, who picked up three straight first period pins to start the night. Each of those pins were picked up by freshman and the Cardinals were out to an 18-0 lead. They would add six more points to their score, taking a 24-0 lead before coming down to the best match of the night. At 157, Wheeling would have the lead until the final seconds of the match, when a Washington & Jefferson takedown would give them a 5-4 decision, notching their first three points of the night. It was the first of back-to-back wins for the Presidents, and they would end up winning there of the next four matches to cut Wheeling's lead to 28-13. However, Wheeling would round things out strong with a decision at 197 and a tech fall at 285 to round out the effort and give Wheeling a 36-13 win.
Leading the way for the Cardinals for the second straight dual meet was Neal Krysty, kicking things off in the 125lb weight class. He would battle over the first two minutes of the match, building a 9-0 lead after a takedown as the two minute mark passed by. He would make his move and for his opponent on the mat, and flipped him over to complete the pin. It would come at the 2:36 mark of the period, marking his second straight event with a first period pin. It was his third pin of the season, tying him for third on the team in pin falls, and it went down as the fastest pin fall of his early collegiate career. He is tied for the team lead with two tech falls, and is tied for the most matches wrestled on the team with eight this season. He sits sits tied for second on the team with six wins this season and has won each of his last three matches on the may. As he continues through his early college career, Krysty looks to continue to improve on the mat and be a Kickstarter for the Cardinals.
It was a parade of freshmen leading the way for the team, with Leroy Steagall and Jack Dinwiddie each being part of the early match pin parade. Steagall, who made his collegiate debut against Frostburg State, was looking for a bounce back during his second time around. Like Krysty, Steagall was able to make his move in the first period, and got an early takedown to start the riding time. He would secure four near fall points and then was able to get over on his opponent for the pin. It happened at the 1:15 mark of the period, and would go down as his first collegiate win. He was followed by Jack Dinwiddie, who has been a regular in the 144lb weight class as he continues his strong start to the season. Dinwiddie would earn the fastest pinfall of the day, wrapping up his match at the 1:06 mark. It was the third pin of the season for Dinwiddie as he picked up his sixth win of the season.
As they continue through their first half schedule, the Caridnals will be competing in their final tournament before the annual Midwest Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cardinals started their tournament season strong in their season opener, picking up a seventh place finish in the tournament field at the Mount Union Invitational. At that event, the Cardinals would have three wrestlers place in the top five of their respective weigh classes, including the first individual champion of the season by Gavin Harper. The Cardinals are putting a heavy focus on their dual meet schedule early in the season, but will be facing a challenging tournament field this weekend. Wheeling will once again be facing competition across all three levels of the NCAA as they look to continue getting their young wrestlers experience and a chance to grow on the mat.
Expected Wrestlers
Neal Krysty (125), Jack Dinwiddie (141), Mannix Wasco (149), George Croy (157), Tucker Steiner (165), Frank Aquila (174), Vincint Sefic (184), Jaxon Burcher (197), Gavin Harper (285)
Wrestler to Watch
Jack Dinwiddie (141): Jack Dinwiddie has quietly had a strong season in the 141lb weigh class, going 5-2 through his first seven matches. He currently sits third for second in pin falls this season, and tied for second with two decisions in his first five matches. He battled against one of the top 141 pounders in the conference in the dual meet with Frostburg State, and has won each of his last three matches. He looks to continue his success on the mat as he battles through the Findlay Open.
The Details
The Findlay Open is scheduled for Saturday, November 15th, with first matches beginning at 9 AM. You can follow along with wucardinals.com all day long for updates.
