No. 13 Hilltoppers Drop First Dual

December 14, 2011

PAINESVILLE, Ohio – The No. 13-ranked West Liberty University wrestling team suffered its first dual meet setback of the season here Wednesday night, dropping a 25-12 decision at Lake Erie College.

It was the second consecutive victory over a Top 20 opponent for the host Storm, who were coming off a 29-12 rout of No. 17-ranked Limestone (N.C.) on Saturday.

Coach Brian Davis's Hilltoppers dug themselves into an early hole as Lake Erie opened the match with back-to-back pins at 125 and 133 pounds to grab a quick 12-0 lead.

Nick Wykoff stopped the bleeding for the visitors with a 10-6 win at 141 pounds and 149-pound freshman Art Hobley remained unbeaten on the season with a 5-4 nod but West Liberty couldn't sustain the momentum.

The Storm closed out the upset by taking four of the final six matches, pulling out two of those wins by just a single point.

Matt Littleton notched a 3-2 win for West Liberty at 174 pounds while 285-pounder JD Ramsey remained unbeaten in dual meets with a 6-1 decision in overtime.

The Hilltopper wrestlers will be back in action Sunday and Monday when they travel to Indianapolis, Ind. to compete in the annual Midwest Classic.

Lake Erie 25, No. 13 West Liberty 12

125: Austin Gillihan (LEC) p. Joe Wagstaff (WLU), 4:00
133: Tom McVicker (LEC) p. Dillon Nolte (WLU), 1:00
141: Nick Wykoff (WLU) d. Nathan Ball (LEC), 10-6
149: Art Hobley (WLU) d. Zach Vargo (LEC), 5-4
157: Tyler Tesny (LEC) d. Jarrod Shaw (WLU), 9-3
165: Matt Vandermeer (LEC) d. Jordan Nolan (WLU), 4-3
174: Matt Littleton (WLU) d. Zev Green (LEC), 3-2
184: Jon Schaefer (LEC) md. Derrick Williams (WLU), 16-7
197: Mike Samijlenko (LEC) d. Jacob Donley (WLU), 8-7
285: JD Ramsey (WLU) d. Robert Zappitelli (LEC), 6-1 (OT)

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