TIFFIN, Ohio - On Saturday, December 16th your Mount St. Joseph University wrestling team traveled to Heidelberg University to compete at the Kalahari Duals. Over the weekend the Lions faced off against 4 other schools in dual matches including, Waynesburg, Heidelberg, Washington & Jefferson and #12 Alvernia. The Lions were able to split the duals for the weekend finishing 2-2 with victories over Waynesburg and Washington & Jefferson.
MOUNT - 31 WAYNESBURG - 18
To begin the dual matches for the weekend the Lions faced off against the Yellow Jackets of Waynesburg. To begin the dual the Lions took an early lead due to forfeits. But, Waynesburg would respond in the 149 & 157lb weight classes taking a 14-12 lead.
Jermaine Poynter was next on the mat for the Lions and was determined to take the lead back. Poynter wasted no time securing the pin in under a minute to give the Lions their lead back. But, Waynesburg again would jump in front after a pair of pins. But, the Lions final 2 wrestlers had a chance for a comeback. In the 197lb weight class
Kaleb Gelter battled for a 9-5 decision victory. This left the Lions trailing by just 1 point heading into the final match as Junior
Rowan Tolbert took the mat as the Lions Heavyweight wrestler. A pin from Tolbert would give the Lions their first victory of the weekend. Tolbert got working quickly and secured the dual winning pin just 1 minute and 8 seconds into the match to give the Lions the victory. Following the victory the Lions were also awarded 4 team points and Waynesburg was deducted 4.
MOUNT - 6 HEIDELBERG - 43
In the Lions 2nd match of the day, they did not have the same success. Only 2 Lions earned victories in the dual defeat.
Jordan Miller earned a 6-0 decision win in the 125lb weight class.
Nicholas Devol was the other Lions to secure a victory winning 4-2 in the 149lb weight class.
MOUNT - 27 (Pins 4-3) WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON - 27
In the Lions 3rd match of the weekend they faced off against a talented Washington & Jefferson squad.
Jordan Miller got the scoring started for the Lions pinning his opponent in just 29 seconds to start the dual. But, the Presidents would tie it up after a forfeit.
Andrew Magness got the Lions back on track with a pin in the 141lb weight class. Magness secured his pin just before the 1st period buzzer sounded. But, again the Presidents would tie it up after a pin in the 149lb weight class. Next for the Lions in the 157lb weight class was Freshman
Hayden Newell. Newell took the mat with the score tied after 4 matches. Newell had to dig deep but pulled out a gritty 4-3 decision win. The Lions would then begin to stack wins as
Skyler Cowgill took the mat in the 165lb class. Cowgill extended the Lions lead with a pin in the 2nd period.
Jermaine Poynter followed in Cowgill's footsteps earning himself a period 2 pin extending the Lions lead once again. But, the final 3 matches would swing in the Presidents' favor tying the dual score at 27. Following the tie, the 1st tie-breaker is the amount of pins. The Lions finished with 4 pins to Washington & Jefferson's 3 giving the Lions their 2nd victory of the Kalahari Duals.
MOUNT - 0 #12 ALVERNIA - 52
In the Lions final dual of the weekend they faced off against the #12 Dual Team in the country. Alvernia certainly showed why they are top 12 in the country sweeping the Lions in their final dual of the weekend. Heavyweight
Rowan Tolbert nearly missed earning the Lions only victory falling in a sudden victory 8-5.
UP NEXT: Your Mount St. Joseph wrestling team won't take the mats until the New Year. The Lions are set to travel to Ada, Ohio on Wednesday, January 3rd to take on the Polar Bears of Ohio Northern in a Dual. The Dual is set to begin at 5pm.
