ERIE, Pa. – The West Liberty University wrestling team came up just short in its final dual meet of the season Friday night, falling by a 25-19 count to host Gannon at the Hammermill Center.
Injuries once more sabotaged a quality effort by Coach Brian Davis's Hilltoppers (4-11). West Liberty didn't have a wrestler available to fill the 184-pound slot and the six points from that forfeit turned out to be the difference.
Despite the loss, several Hilltoppers turned in impressive performances.
Nick Wykoff rolled to a 20-3 technical fall at 149 pounds and David Schlieper bounced back from a 10-3 deficit to pin the hosts' Casey Price at 5:22 of their 165-pound bout.
Danny Doyle added three points to the WLU total with a gritty 3-2 decision at 197 pounds and 285-pound standout Mike Carpenter finished with a flourish, powering his way to a 23-5 technical fall in the final match of the night.
The Hilltoppers will spend the next few days recuperating from the season-long grind in preparation for the Super Region One championships, set to get under way on Friday at Kutztown (Pa.) University.
Gannon 25, West Liberty 19
125: Matt Turek (GU) tf. Joe Wagstaff, 21-5
133: Jose Matos (GU) d. Cole Nace, 9-3
141: Adam Weinell (GU) d. Johnny McComas, 11-4
149: Nick Wykoff (WLU) tf. Michael Krysiak, 20-3
157: Sean Floor (GU) tf. Daniel Carpenter, 16-0
165: David Schlieper (WLU) p. Casey Pace, 5:22
174: Adam Greenman (GU) d. Ben Giles, 3-2
184: Jermaine Easter (GU) won by forfeit
197: Danny Doyle (WLU) d. Kristopher Rahn, 3-1
285: Mike Carpenter (WLU) tf. Keith Stoerr, 23-5
