ERIE, Pa. – Coach Brian Davis’s West Liberty wrestling team dropped a 25-10 decision to host Mercyhurst Wednesday night in a meeting of NCAA Division II East Region heavyweights.
The Hilltoppers entered the Mercyhurst Athletic Center ranked No. 14 in the country and No. 4 in the East Region while the Lakers – coached by former West Liberty head coach Mike Wehler – had just moved into the No. 10 spot in the national rankings and were No. 2 in the East.
Three West Liberty grapplers posted impressive victories to remain unbeaten on the season.
Doug Surra, ranked No. 1 in the East at 141 pounds, improved to 10-0 on the year by rolling to a 15-6 major decision against Lance Pitcel.
Kayne Melko, the East’s No. 2-ranked 149-pounder, pitched a shutout against Lenny Calhoun in a 2-0 win. Melko is now 9-0.
Mitch Smith, No. 1 at 157 pounds, gave West Liberty three straight victories in the meet by nipping Andy Lamancusa, 5-4. Lamancusa was ranked No. 3 in the region.
The Hilltoppers’ Mitch Knapp was a hard-luck loser in another battle of regionally-ranked foes at 197 pounds. Knapp, ranked No. 4 in the region, carried No. 3-ranked Trevor Gallo into overtime before dropping a 3-1 decision in sudden death.
West Liberty heavyweight Mike Carpenter threw a big scare into Mercyhurst’s No. 6-ranked Kenny Bluska, who barely escaped with a 3-2 nod.
The Hilltopper mat squad will be idle this weekend before closing out the first semester schedule on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Ohio Northern Tournament in Ada, Ohio.