Wrestling Battles but Falls to Notre Dame in First Dual of the Season
South Euclid, OH. – The Wheeling University Wrestling team opened up Mountain East Conference play on Thursday when they took on Notre Dame College in a dual meet. The young Cardinals battled throughout the night, but in the end, they fell 44-6 to the Falcons and dropped to 0-1 on the dual season.
The night started with the 125-lb matchup featuring freshmanChristian Zickefoosemaking his season debut for Wheeling. Zickefoose battled right from the get-go and took a 6-4 lead after the first round of the match. However, those six points were all that Zickefoose could get as he ended up dropping his match as he ended up having to have a medical forfeit. Wheeling got their first win of the night when sophomoreChase Montgomeryreceived a forfeit win at the 133-lb match, and a double forfeit at the 141-lb match didn't award either team any points. Note Dame would pick up two more forfeit wins in the 149 and 157-lb match, and the team score sat at 18-6 in favor of the Falcons.
FreshmanAustin Melewas next to take the mat, as he faced Cale Hoskinson in the 165-lb match. It ended up being the shortest match of the night for the Cardinals, as Mele lost in a pinfall in 0:29 seconds in the first period. Two more forfeit wins moved the match to the 197-lb weight class where Wheeling'sRiver Pappastook on Logan Hall from Notre Dame College. Pappas fell behind early in the first round and earned an escape point before the first three minutes were over. In the end, Pappas lost in an 18-1 Technical Fall, making the score 41-6 Notre Dame with one match to go. It broughtClarouly Meca, who had led the team over the past three opens.
He was up against Michael Viramontes for Notre Dame, and early in the match, things were in Meca's favor. Meca scored first with a takedown at the two-minute mark of the second period, and Viramontes countered with a takedown of his own to tie things at 2-2. Meca would regain the advantage with an escape and managed one more escape to end the second period with a 4-2 advantage. However, in the final period, Viramontes outscored Meca 5-0 and went on to win the match 7-4. That loss brought the match to its final score of 44-6 and ended Wheeling's night. Every wrestler for the Cardinals fought hard throughout the night, and they will look to grow from this as the dual season moves forward.
The Wheeling University Wrestling team is back in action on Saturday, January 15th, when they head to Fairmont State for a dual match at 7 PM.