CINCINNATI, Ohio - On Wednesday, February 15th your Mount St. Joseph University wrestling team played host of the HCAC Duals. The Lions welcomed the Spartans of Manchester and the Yellow Jackets of Defiance to the Harrington Center. The Lions shined on the mat taking both matches by scores of 26-15 & 28-15.
The Lions also celebrated Senior night recognizing
Brody Gray and
Cornell Beachem Jr. Beachem Jr. was also presented his National Championship ring as we looked back on his illustrious career. Beachem Jr.'s resume consisted of a record of 48-0 at The Mount, 3x DIII National Qualifier, 2x HCAC Male Athlete of the Year and 2022 DIII 174lb National Champion.
MOUNT - 26 Â Â Â Â MANCHESTER - 15
The Mount kicked off the Duals by facing off against the Spartans of Manchester. After each squad traded forfeits
Jake Cotsonas made his way to the mat. Cotsonas was dominant in his return cruising to a 12-4 major decision victory.
Jorden Zigo was next for the Lions in the 149lb weight class. Zigo controlled the pace of the match earning another Mount victory 8-4. Senior
Brody Gray was next on the mat for The Mount. Gray wasted no time forcing his opponent to the ground and grinding out a dominant 8-0 major decision victory.
The Lions dropped their next match but
Noah Johnson was next for The Mount in the 174lb weight class. Johnson jumped out to an early lead but Manchester's James Bettcher battled back. Johnson and Bettcher battled as the match was forced to overtime after a late takedown from Bettcher. But, Johnson finished the match on top earning a takedown in overtime earning a gritty 12-10 win. The Lions dropped their next match but followed with
Kaleb Gelter in the 197lb weight class. Gelter got ahead early and never looked back earning a 11-6 victory. In the Lions final match of the Dual
Gary Powell took the mat. Powell controlled the match with powerful takedowns taking down his opponent 10-3.
MOUNT - 28 Â Â Â DEFIANCE - 15
In the Lions 2nd match of the night, The Mount would jump ahead 6-0 with a forfeit from Defiance. Cotsonas again would get the Lions started with another dominant match. Cotsonas took care of business just as the 2nd period began pinning his opponent to build the Lions lead.
Jorden Zigo was next producing another dominant match. Zigo jumped ahead early and rode his lead to the end. Zigo finished the match ahead 14-5 earning a major decision victory.
The Lions would drop the next 3 matches but
Donavan Page would get The Mount back on track in the 184lb weight class. Page battled in the 1st period but exploded to start the 2nd. Page landed a huge takedown throwing his opponent to the mat and directly into a pin fall position. Page secured control and pinned his opponent just 13 seconds into the 2nd period extending the Lions advantage. Defiance would forfeit their next match due to a medical forfeit followed by the Lions dropping the final match of the dual.
UP NEXT: Your Mount St. Joseph University wrestling team will travel to Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, February 25th & 26th to compete at the NCAA DIII Central Regional hosted by Case Western. Please continue to tune into msjlions.com for coverage of your MSJ wrestling team and all MSJ Athletics.
