Three Cardinals Place at MEC Championships
Wheeling, W. Va. – On Saturday, the young Wheeling University Wrestling team went to West Liberty University to compete in the 2022 MEC Championships. As a team, they finished seventh overall with 15.0 points but had all three of their wrestlers in their respective weight classes. They had one fifth place finished and two sixth place finishers at the event, their first full season championship event since 2018-2019.
Kicking off the day was sophomore Chase Montgomery in the 133-pound weight class. He had a first-round match-up with West Liberty's Luke Miller and fell in a tough 6-5 decision. He received a bye in the first round of the consolation bracket and ended up meeting Alderson Broaddus's, Chris Barthelemy. Unfortunately, Montgomery took his second loss of the day, this time in a 7-4 decision, and moved down to the fifth-place match. Montgomery would end up not having an opponent and secured fifth place in the tournament for his efforts.
Up next was Wheeling's freshman Brennon Reid competing in the 157-pound weight class. Reid would be competing in his first MEC Championship event and lost his first-round match in a technical fall 16-1. He received a bye in the first round of the consolation bracket and got the chance to fight for the fifth-place game against Christian Rivera of West Liberty. This time around, Reid ended up dropping the match in a pinfall in 3:59. He finished the day 0-2 in his two matches but gained valuable experience that he can use to continue to grow.
The day concluded with the 285-pound bracket featuring sophomore Clarouly Meca, who has been one of Wheeling's most consistent performers of the season. He started his day off with a rematch against Fairmont State's TJ Boyd, and this time it was Meca who triumphed with a 3-1 decision. He then faced West Liberty's Francesco Borsellino and picked up his first loss of the day, facing a pinfall in 3:58. After losing in a 9-1 decision to Alderson Broaddus's Demetrius Daniels, Meca went on to the fifth-place match where he met Glenville State's, Gavin Shamblin. Meca would end up falling 8-0 and earning sixth place at the tournament.
The Wheeling University Wrestling team continues their season on Saturday, February 5th when they head to the UIndy Duals where they will face Ashland University, Kentucky Wesleyan, and Maryville University.