FAIRMONT, W.Va. - The No. 5-ranked West Liberty University wrestling team remained unbeaten on the young season here Saturday, pulling off another triangular sweep in a Mountain East Conference event hosted by Fairmont State University.
Coach Danny Irwin's short-handed Hilltoppers (4-0) defeated Glenville State, 33-21, and followed that up with a 25-18 nod over the host Falcons. Fairmont State edged Glenville, 22-21, in the first match of the day.
Already giving up forfeits at 184 and 197 due to NCAA and MEC guidelines and protocols, the hill got a little steeper for West Liberty in the opener against Glenville State when 2-time All-American Cole Laya got an unlucky break.
Carrying a huge lead into the waning seconds of his 125-pound match against the Pioneers' Kevin Meloni, Laya made one last push for a fall with disastrous consequences.
Irwin explained.
"No one likes to forfeit weights but with safety protocols that's what needed to happen today," Irwin said. "Our guys were pushing for bonus points all day to make up for that and it bit us a bit in Laya's match. He was up 13-0 and was defensive falled as time expired. That put our backs against the wall but Chase Morgan responded with a big win over a nationally-ranked opponent at 165 and that got us back on track."
Chase Morgan and Glenville's No. 16-ranked Cole Houser battled to the wire and beyond in a crucial 165-pound match. Deadlocked 2-2 at the end of regulation, Morgan scored a takedown in the first sudden victory period to claim the 4-2 win. Twin brother Chance Morgan followed with a second-period fall against the Pioneers' Joel Cruickshanks and Francesco Borsellino made it a double-digit with with a first-period fall at 285.
"Today was a testament to how relentless this team really is," Chase Morgan said. "We overcame a lot of adversity this entire week but our coaching staff does such a good job of keeping us disciplined and it really paid off in our matches. I'm excited that our team is digging in but this is only the beginning of what this team can do."
The Morgan twins were a perfect 4-0 on the afternoon as they each picked up decisions in the victory against Fairmont State. Borsellino pitched a 5-0 shutout in the 285-pound finale against the Falcons while 157-pounder Christian Rivera came up big with two bonus point wins – a first-period fall against Glenville and a major decision in the Fairmont match. Corey Secrist had a big first-period fall in the Glenville match, as well. Secrist and Borsellino were making their season debuts.
"It was great having Secrist and Borso (Borsellino) out there today," Irwin said. "They did a nice job competing from start to finish and really gave this squad a boost. We're settled into competing now but I think this upcoming week will tell us where we are as a team all the way up and down the lineup."
"It was great having Secrist and Borso (Borsellino) out there today," Irwin said. "They did a nice job competing from start to finish and really gave this squad a boost. We're settled into competing now but I think this upcoming week will tell us where we are as a team all the way up and down the lineup."
WRESTLING
No. 5 West Liberty 33, Glenville State 21
125: Kevin Meloni (GSC) p. Cole Laya (WLU), 7:00
133: Corey Secrist (WLU) p. Cam Barr (GSC), 6:41
141: Alec Fulwider (GSC) d. Matt Simpson (WLU), 6-3
149: Jacob Simpson (WLU) won by forfeit
157: Christian Rivera (WLU) p. Jacob Puckett (GSC), 1:12
165: Chase Morgan (WLU) d. Cole Houser (GSC), 4-2 (SV-1)
174: Chance Morgan (WLU) p. Joel Cruickshanks (GSC), 3:44
184: Luke Martin (GSC) won by forfeit
197: Christian Ramsey (GSC) won by forfeit
285: Francesco Borsellino (WLU) p. Gavin Shamblin (GSC), 1:04
No. 5 West Liberty 25, Fairmont State 18
125: Cole Laya (WLU) won by forfeit
133: Corey Secrist (WLU) won by forfeit
141: Noah Kiszka (FSU) d. Matt Simpson (WLU), 6-5
149: Lukas Martin (FSU) d. Jacob Simpson (WLU), 6-3
157: Christian Rivera (WLU) md. Alex Jablonski (FSU), 11-2
165: Chase Morgan (WLU) d. David Mundey (FSU), 14-7
174: Chance Morgan (WLU) d. Cade Moisey (FSU), 7-3
184: Cory Hupp-Lasure (FSU) won by forfeit
197: Riley Gallagher (FSU) won by forfeit
285: Francesco Borsellino (WLU) d. TJ Boyd (FSU), 5-0
