Wheeling, W. Va. – As The road to the NCAA DII super Regional One tournament began on Friday, but Wheeling University Wrestling team (4-1) Take some time to honor the seniors in their final dual meet of the 2024-2025 season. The Cardinals picked up a resounding win over Davis & Elkins, burning a 40-16 victory that consisted of two pin files and two Tech Falls reading the way. Caden Canning, Ethan Aguiniga, Zach Kuneff, and Zach Larue a special pregame ceremony and their teammates would make it a big night.
Kicking things off In the 125 lb weight class was red shirt freshman Brent Bosley. It would end up being a rematch of Bosley's first round Match at the Mountain East Conference (MEC) tournament, as he took on Wyatt Stemberger. Bosley would keep the pressure on throughout the match, allowing just three escape points to his opponent throughout the three rounds. In the end it was a takedown at the 5:23 Mark that would earn him a 19-3 tech fall to make it 6-0 Wheeling to start the night. Davis & Elkins ordering six points in the 133 lb weight class forfeit win, before the teams would go at it again in the 141 lb weight class.
It would be freshman Angelo DiPol thinking that for the Cardinals against Nicholas Ammirati. Take me to text a match up through the first two periods, with DiPol trailing 6-2 heading into the third period. However, DiPol would end up getting The upper hand and in the third period, turned a takedown into a pinfall. He would pick up the pin at the 6:13 Mark of the match earning six more points for his team. The Cardinals would go ahead 11-6, and added six more points when senior Caden Canning order forfeit victory at 149 lb. The Cardinals would send Isaac Valdez to the mat at 157 lb as he took on Gabriel Pujadaa. Valdez would control the match through the first periods and after his second near fall of the day, It was able to wrap things up getting the pin at the 2:56 mark.
It would push Wheeling's lead to 23-6 in the dual meet, and Brian Crevar would at six more thanks to a forfeit victory at 165 lb. As the night went on, Daviso & Elkins would begin to wrap up points in the heavier weight classes. At $174 lb, Braden Galassi earned an 18-0 tech fall over Hunter Bittinger and Senators would get six more points from Garrett Eddy I see her in a 15-0 tech fall over Chris Johnson at 197 lb. The Cardinals sandwich six points of their own in between, with Austin Hinzman competing in the 184 lb weight class. Like his teammates, Hinzman would jump on his opponent building an early lead. After holding an 11-0 advantage after the first period, he would allow just one escape point and finish the night out with a 17-1 Tech Fall win at the 2:20 mark.
What was to be the final match of the night featured senior Zach Kuneff at 285 lb. Unfortunately, Davis & Elkins would have to forfeit the weight class, bringing the match to its final score of 40-16. Despite both healthy seniors getting forfeit victories on the night, it was a big night for the wrestling program, as they celebrated their first senior day since 2019. These four seniors came to campus at a time when the program was just being brought back, and 4 years later have helped make history. They are part of the team that finished 4th at the MEC Wrestling Championships, the highest finish In program history, and they look to create more history down the regional stretch. Full results from tonight's dual meet are listed below:
125: Brent Bosley (WU) over Wyatt Stemberger (D&E) (Tech Fall 19-3 5:23) WU 5, D&E 0
133: Luke Shaffer (D&E) wins by forfeit D&E 6, WU 5
141: Angel DiPol (WU) over Nicholas Ammirati (D&E) (Fall 6:13) – WU 11, D&E 6
149: Caden Canning (WU) wins by forfeit – WU 17, D&E 6
157: Isaac Valdez (WU) over Gabriel Pujadas (D&E) (Fall 2:56) – WU 23, D&E 6
165: Brian Crevar (WU) wins by forfeit – WU 29, D&E 6
174: Bradden Galassi (D&E) over Hunter Bittinger (WU) (Tech Fall 18-0 4:11) – WU 29, D&E 11
184: Austin Hinzman (WU) over Gavin Rodriguez-Cayro (D&E) (Tech Fall 17-1 6:03) – WU 34, D&E 11
197: Garrett Eddy (D&E) over Chris Johnson (WU) (Tech Fall 15-0 2:20) – WU 35, D&E 16
285: Zach Kuneff (WU) win by forfeit – WU 40, D&E 16
The Wheeling University Wrestling Team Returns to action on Sunday, February 16th, when they head to the John Carroll open.
