Wrestling Opens 2022 Hosting the Wheeling Wrestling Quad
Wheeling, W. Va. - It has been 20 days since the Wheeling University Wrestling team last took the mat, and they look to open 2022 with a bang when they host the Wheeling Wrestling Quad on Friday at 12 PM. Wheeling will be hosting Seton Hill and Glenville State in the Alma Grace McDonough Center, with weigh-ins beginning at 11 AM followed by the first of three dual matches at 12 PM. Wheeling and Seton Hill kick off the event, followed by Wheeling and Glenville State and Glenville State and Seton Hill to round out the event.
The last time the Cardinals took the mat was back on December 18th, 2021, when they traveled to the 42nd annual Midwest Classic. They got a chance to compete against some of the top wrestlers across Division II Wrestling and picked up four wins as a team on the day. Sophomore Clarouly Mecaled the way, going 2-2, while freshman Josh SharronandBrennon Reideach added a win on the day. While Wheeling had no one advance to the second day of the event, they were able to get valuable experience that they can grow on the rest of the way.
Meca had the most successful day on the team, going 2-2 to bring his win total up to five in his first three tournaments of the season. He started the day with his third pinfall victory of the season, defeating Queens' Joshua Volkel in 4:19 to advance in the championship bracket. After taking a tough overtime loss in his first-round match, Meca would move to the consolation bracket where he picked up his second win of the day. It would come via a 7-4 decision over Seton Hill's John Myeres before his day ended in a 13-6 decision loss. Since transitioning from football to wrestling, Meca has gone 5-3 in his first three events of the season and anchors the team in the 285-pound weight class.
Sharron and Reid wrestled in the 144-pound and 157-pound weight class respectively, and each picked up a win at the event. For Sharron, he went 1-2 in his three matches, including the first pinfall of his collegiate career. Sharron defeated Newman's Caleb Streeter in 4:49 to pick up the milestone win and move him to the first round of the Championship bracket. For Reid, the win came via a medical forfeit in the first round of the consolation bracket. Reid would finish the day 1-2 as well, and now has eight wins on the season.
After participating in several tournaments during the 2021 portion of their schedule, the Cardinals will now transition into more dual matches in 2022. They will participate in five dual matches over the month of January before competing in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Championships on January 29th. Among their dual opponents are a quad of MEC opponents in Glenville State, Notre Dame College, Fairmont State, and Davis & Elkins. They will get a chance to see some of the best the conference has to offer before going to the Championship event.
The Matchup
Seton Hill: The Cardinals and Griffins have battled each other twice before with each team picking up a win. Friday will mark their first dual match since February of 2019, when Wheeling picked up a 26-19 win inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center. Wheeling had big performances from former Cardinals Connor Craig and Tanner Fanning, who won their matches on a 12-7 decision and an 18-2 Technical Fall respectively as Wheeling won seven of the ten matches on the night.
Glenville State: Friday will mark the first time that the Pioneers and Cardinals have met in dual action in program history. The Pioneers enter the day with an impressive 14-3 record, including a 40-3 loss to Division I WVU. This will be Wheeling's first dual event of the season, and they are looking to compete against a strong Pioneer team.
The Details
Weigh-ins for tomorrow's Wheeling Quad are set to begin at 11 AM, followed by the first dual between Wheeling and Seton Hill scheduled for 12 PM. You can watch all the action live by clickingHERE.