ASHLAND, Ohio – The West Liberty University wrestling team dropped a pair of matches here Saturday in the Wendy's Mid-Atlantic Duals hosted by Ashland University.
Coach Brian Davis' Hilltoppers opened the event with a 29-12 loss to the host Eagles before seeing Olivet (Mich.) come from behind to steal a 20-16 nod in WLU's final match of the day.
Aaron Silverio and Joel Paolo provided some bright spots for the Black and Gold by winning both of their matches.
Silverio, a junior 285-pounder from Shadyside, Ohio, outlasted Tyler Shank of Ashland, 3-1, in overtime before blanking Olivet heavyweight Youssef El-Sayed, 2-0.
Paolo, a senior 149-pounder who transferred in from Pitt-Johnstown this season, knocked off Ashland's Brent Fickel, 4-2, and scored a 4-3 win against Olivet's John Leark.
Other highlights for WLU on the day included a 15-6 major decision over Olivet's Matt Darling for Hilltopper 141-pounder Anthony Craig and a 7-1 win by DeMadre Turner in his 165-pound match against Olivet's Dan Fleet.
West Liberty heads to New York next weekend to compete in Saturday's Brockport Invitational.
Ashland 29, West Liberty 12
125 – Zach Brown (WL) won by forfeit
133 – Michael Labry (AU) p. Joe Wagstaff (WL), 6:35
141 – Ty Davis (AU) md. Anthony Craig (WL), 15-2
149 – Joel Paolo (WL) d. Brent Fickel (AU), 4-2
157 – Zeb Beam (AU) d. David Schlieper (WL), 9-3
165 – Kyle Burns (AU) d. DeMadre Turner (WL), 3-1
174 – Cory Workman (AU) won by forfeit
184 – Kurt Schaefer (AU) d. Danny Doyle (WL), 3-1
197 – Brandon O'Neill (AU) md. Nate Dawson (WL), 11-0
285 – Aaron Silverio (WL) d. Tyler Shank (AU), 3-1, OT
Olivet 20, West Liberty 16
125 – Zach Brown (WL) d. Jared Brickley (O), 4-2
133 – Matthew Watson Jr. (O) d. Joe Wagstaff (WL), 2-0
141 – Anthony Craig (WL) md. Matt Darling (O), 15-6
149 – Joel Paolo (WL) d. John Leark (O), 4-3
157 – Jacob Gould (O) md. David Schlieper (WL), 10-1
165 – DeMadre Turner (WL) d. Dan Fleet (O), 7-1
174 – Nick Allen (O) won by forfeit
184 – Rodney Harvey (O) md. Danny Doyle (WL), 9-1
197 – Thomas Hall (O) d. Nate Dawson (WL), 2-1
285 – Aaron Silverio (WL) d. Youssef El-Sayed (O), 2-0
