Mercyhurst Wrestlers Jump to No. 14 in Division II :: Lakers travel to No. 8 Pitt-Johnstown Friday

Feb. 21, 2008

Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst wrestlers, coming off a dual win over No. 19 Limestone, moved up one spot to No. 14 in the Feb. 20 release of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Rankings, setting up a showdown with No. 8-ranked Pitt-Johnstown Friday evening.

The Lakers (10-13) received 55 points to jump Minnesota State-Moorhead for 14th. Findlay, which knocked off the Lakers last week, moved from 16th to 13th.

Pitt-Johnstown remained in the No. 8 spot with a 16-5 dual record. The Mountain Cats are 6-3 against ranked opponents this season, as well.

In the individual rankings, Mercyhurst has three wrestlers in among the top eight and Pitt-Johnstown boasts four.

For Mercyhurst, 149-pound junior Brian Pogel remained No. 3 with a 28-7 record. Todd Meneely of Nebraska-Omaha, who Pogel defeated at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals, stayed at No.1.

Sophomore Andy Lamancusa moved up from eighth to No. 5 at 157 pounds thanks largely to his 8-0 major decision over sixth-ranked Muhammad Abdur-Rahman of Ashland. Senior Hudson Harrison, who boasts a 27-6 record, continued to hold the No. 6 ranking at 165 pounds.

Pitt-Johnstown's Brand Reasy is top-ranked at 133 pounds with an 18-2 record. Three-time All-American Mike Corcetti is fifth at 184, Pat Walsh is sixth at 197 and heavyweight Zach Majocha is seventh.

Pitt-Johnstown is teaming up with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service and the NWCA for the "Eat Smart, Play Hard" program. All children 12 and under will be admitted to the health fair and wrestling match free of charge. Start time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

PROBABLE MATCH-UPS 125 - Derek Bosso (UPJ), #6 East Region vs. Payne Lint (MC), #4 East Region
133 - Brand Reasy (UPJ), #1 NCAA vs. Lance Pitcel (MC)
141 - Shane Valko (UPJ), #4 East Region vs. Braxdon Scaletta (MC)
149 - Adam Whetstone (UPJ), #4 East Region vs. Brian Pogel (MC), #3 NCAA/#1 East Region
157 - Mazen Kholi (UPJ), #7 East Region vs. Andy Lamancusa (MC), #5 NCAA/#1 East Region
165 - Kyle Keene (UPJ), #2 East Region vs. Hudson Harrison (MC), #6 NCAA/#1 East Region
174 - Albert Miles (UPJ), #2 East Region vs. Josh Shields (MC), #3 East Region
184 - Mike Corcetti (UPJ), #5 NCAA/#3 East Region vs. Bryan Wolff (MC), #4 East Region
197 - Patrick Walsh (UPJ), #6 NCAA/#1 East Region vs. Trevor Gallo (MC), #3 East Region
HWT - Zach Majocha (UPJ), #7 NCAA/#2 East Region vs. Nathan Sharp (MC) or Kenny Bluska (MC)