West Virginia 36 Ohio U 3

ATHENS, Ohio – In its final non-conference dual meet of the season, the West Virginia University wrestling team dominated Ohio, 36-3, at the Convocation Center.

After the 184-pound bout was drawn as the dual meet’s starting point, the Mountaineers ran off seven consecutive victories that helped build an insurmountable 27-0 lead.
Lance Bryson

“I don’t normally like to start at any other weight class than 125 pounds, but our guys seemed to respond,” said coach Craig Turnbull. “We won a couple close matches, and our guys handled themselves well in front of an away crowd.”

Redshirt senior Matt Ryan (184) got WVU off to a quick start, as he took a 7-1 decision from the Bobcats’ Ryan Garringer. Ryan used a takedown within the first 30 seconds of the match to jump out to an early lead. In the second period, Ryan chose bottom position and was able to reverse his opponent. Ryan tallied almost six minutes of riding time in the bout.

Redshirt sophomore Mac Mancuso (197) followed Ryan’s performance with a strong showing of his own in his return to the mat. Mancuso nearly pinned Ohio’s Beau Wenger from a defensive position and earned two near fall points in the second period. The near fall points put Mancuso on top 7-1. Mancuso closed on the match with another takedown that helped seal the riding time point in a 10-2 major decision.

“I felt good in my return, and I felt a little more loose than I am use to,” said Mancuso. “I didn’t feel stiff, and I let things go a little more. It was an all around good day.”

In the heavyweight contest, redshirt senior Brandon Williamson took a 5-1 decision from Andy Hartshorn. Williamson pushed the pace against a defensive Hartshorn and tallied three near fall points in the final 15 seconds that ensured the victory.

At 125 pounds, junior Shane Young (125) jumped out to a 4-0 lead against the Bobcats’ Gabe Ramos. Young continued to carry the pace of the match throughout the remainder of the first and second period. In the third, Young scored yet another takedown and took a 7-3 decision.

Redshirt sophomore Nathan Pennesi (133) and sophomore Michael Morales (141) scored two of the Mountaineers’ biggest wins, as they put the meet out of reach for Ohio. Pennesi teched Drew Hammer, 15-0, while Morales pinned Darrin Boing 2:28 into the first period. Pennesi’s win was his team-leading 24th of season.

“Our lightweights took control of the match for us,” Turnbull said. “Nathan and Morales did a great job and put us in a very good position. Overall, it was a very good match for us.”

Redshirt freshman Brutus Scheffel also helped build on WVU’s lead, as he took a 7-5 decision from Andrew Romanchik. Scheffel got to his offensive game early and converted a takedown attempt. After a second period with little action, Scheffel’s offense was persistent in the third period and helped him build a 7-3 lead that sealed the victory.

Following a loss at 157 pounds, redshirt senior Kyle Eason scored his first dual meet pin of the season, as he pinned Miles Chapman at the 4:54 mark of the match. Chapman battled for nearly a minute against Eason’s position, but Eason was able to get the fall.

Redshirt junior Lance Bryson closed out the dominant win for the Mountaineers with an impressive win over No. 18 Nick Purdue. Bryson worked takedowns in the first and third period that got him the 5-1 decision victory.

“It felt great to be on the other side of a close decision against a ranked opponent,” said Bryson. “A win like this will help me build confidence and momentum as we head into the Eastern Wrestling League tournament and the NCAA tournament.”

WVU is now 7-4 overall this season, while the Bobcats drop to 3-6 overall this season.

The Mountaineers will close out their regular season next weekend, as they will travel to Edinboro on Saturday and Cleveland State on Sunday.

Results
184: No. 16 Matt Ryan (WVU) dec. Ryan Garringer (OU), 7-1
197: Mac Mancuso (WVU) maj. dec. Beau Wenger (OU), 10-2
HWT: No. 16 Brandon Williamson (WVU) dec. Andy Hartshorn (OU), 5-1
125: No. 26 Shane Young (WVU) dec. Gabe Ramos (OU), 7-3
133: No. 24 Nathan Pennesi (WVU) tech fall Drew Hammer (OU), 15-0
141: No. 31 Michael Morales (WVU) win by fall Darrin Boing (OU), 2:28
149: Brutus Scheffel (WVU) dec. Andrew Romanchik (OU), 7-5
157: Harrison Hightower (OU) dec. Dominic Prezzia (WVU), 6-0
165: Kyle Eason (WVU) win by fall Miles Chapman (OU), 4:54
174: No. 22 Lance Bryson (WVU) dec. No. 18 Nick Purdue (OU), 5-1