Feb. 13, 2008

Erie, Pa. - With two-straight dual wins in the last week, the 15th-ranked Mercyhurst Lakers are looking to continue the momentum Friday at No. 16 Findlay.

Findlay is Mercyhurst's seventh nationally ranked Division II opponent this year. So far, the Lakers are 2-4 against ranked teams with two wins over Ashland.

Mercyhurst holds a 4-2 lead in the all-time series, but has won four-straight duals over the Oilers. Findlay captured the first meeting in 2002 by a 32-9 score and also won the 2003 meeting 19-17. Since then, however, the Lakers have dominated the series with only one margin of victory being less than eight points.

Findlay is looking to bounce back from a 19-12 loss to No. 10 Ashland. The Oilers are 9-12 this year but like Mercyhurst, they have faced a difficult schedule, wrestling duals against Division I powers Iowa and Ohio State as well as Division II foes Pitt-Johnstown, Western State and Central Oklahoma, all of which are ranked in the top 10.

One of Friday's top matches should be at 157 pounds where two-time defending national champ and No. 7-ranked Antonio Guerra faces Mercyhurst No. 8-ranked Andy Lamancusa. Lamancusa is 16-12 but has won eight out of his last 10 matches.

Laker heavyweight Kenny Bluska (12-4) will have his hands full, as well, as he will square off against Travis Clark, who is a returning All-American and ranked eighth in Division II.

Mercyhurst junior Brian Pogel, ranked third at 149 pounds, will look to build on his already impressive season. He is 26-7 with a team-leading eight pins. In this season alone, Pogel has matched his career total in wins, as he went 24-17 in his first two years with the Lakers.

Senior Hudson Harrison is also having a banner season with a 25-6 record and No. 6 national ranking.

Friday's match is scheduled for 7 p.m.