SANDUSKY, Ohio - On Saturday, December 18th your Mount St. Joseph University wrestling team traveled to Heidelberg University to compete in the Kalahari Duals. The Lions faced off against Heidelberg, #13 Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Otterbein and Adrian. The Lions were only able to defeat Otterbein by a score of 29-24.
DUAL #1 MSJ - 16 vs HEIDELBERG - 34
The Lions got off to a good start versus Heidelberg winning two of the first three matches. At 125lb
Jorden Zigo (Dayton, Ohio/Trotwood Madison) got a 5-2 decision win to get things started for the Lions.
Desmond Diggs (Xenia, Ohio/Xenia) also got a decision win at 141lbs defeating his opponent 5-1.
Cornell Beachem (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods) got his impressive day going with a pin in the first period.
Cookie Armstrong (Dayton, Ohio/Alter) was the final Lion to secure a victory over Heidelberg. Armstrong got his impressive day started with a 19-8 major victory.
DUAL #2 MSJ - 6 vs #13 WISCONSIN-OSHKOSH - 50
The Lions were only able to win one match versus the #13 Division III team in the nation.
Cornell Beachem was the lone winner pinning his opponent with ease in the first period.
DUAL #3 MSJ - 29 vs OTTERBEIN - 24
The Lions got off to a hot start versus Otterbein winning the first 3 matches.
Jorden Zigo got his second victory of the day defeating his opponent 11-3.
Jake Cotsonas (Cincinnati, Ohio/Loveland) got his first victory in the 133lb weight class on the day defeating his opponent 5-2.
Desmond Diggs would win by forfeit extending the Lions lead to 13-0. But, the Lions were forced to forfeit in the 149, 157 and 165lb weight classes bringing the score to 13-18 in favor of Otterbein. But, not for long as
Cornell Beachem secured his third victory of the day via the pin giving the Lions a 19-18 lead. The Lions would drop a match in the 184lb weight class bringing the score to 19-24. But, the Lions would respond well in the 197lb class with
Cookie Armstrong earning his second victory on the day via the major decision winning 16-5. But, the Lions needed just one point to tie Otterbein and two points to win. Heavyweight
Bradley Smith (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek) would step to the mat and would not disappoint. Smith would pin his opponent in the second period lifting the Lions to victory 29-24.
DUAL # 4 MSJ - 11 vs ADRIAN - 33
In the final dual
Jorden Zigo again delivered in the 125lb class beating his opponent by decision 8-4.
Desmond Diggs would secure another win at 141lbs defeating his opponent 11-6.
Cornell Beachem would finish the day a perfect 4-0 defeating his opponent via technical fall 20-5.
STANDOUTS:
125lb
Jorden Zigo was fantastic for the Lions this weekend going 3-1 including a major decision victory. 141lb
Desmond Diggs also went 3-1 for the Lions winning by forfeit and two decisions. 174lb
Cornell Beachem was unstoppable for the Lions Saturday. Beachem went 4-0 including 3 pins all in the first period and a technical fall victory. Finally,
Cookie Armstrong was tremendous for the Lions going 2-0 on the weekend with 2 major decision victories.
UP NEXT: Your Lions will be back in action on Tuesday, January 4th when they travel to Ada, Ohio to compete against the Polar Bears of Ohio Northern. Please continue to tune into msjlions.com for coverage of your MSJ wrestling team and all MSJ Athletics.
