WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Jan. 28) – The previous two meetings between the wrestling teams from Waynesburg and Thiel have been hard fought, emotional battles that came down to their final bouts. Meeting number three broke that trend.

 

The Yellow Jackets won seven of the 10 weights, including four by fall, to roll to a 33-12 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) victory at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse on Friday night. With the win, the Jackets swept their PAC schedule for the second time in three years and go to 11-2-1 overall. Thiel drops to 7-8 for the year and 0-1 in conference action.

 

Waynesburg started the night off right with a fall from sophomore 125-pounder Alex Crown, who stuck Thiel freshman Tyler Pier in 1:52 to put his team up 6-0. Though junior Rico Borz suffered his first loss of the season at 133, he only gave up a 10-4 decision to two-time All-American Corey Brown. That preserved Waynesburg's lead at 6-3 and set up two of the team's best wrestlers to gain control of the match.

 

Senior 141-pounder Nick Garber dominated Tomcat sophomore Mike Klosiewicz with a fall in 2:59, and freshman Luke Lohr continued his outstanding first season with the team by pinning freshman Thiel grappler Matt Butler in 3:53.

 

In previous meetings with the Tomcats, Waynesburg had trouble winning a lot of close matches. The Yellow Jackets bucked that trend as well at 157 pounds as junior Garrett Johnston used a late cradle to pick up a takedown with no time left in his match with Thiel junior Alec Miller to grit out a 3-1 victory.

 

The Jackets suffered a setback at 165 when the Tomcats picked up a fall, but got the points right back when junior 174-pounder Jared Roberts pinned Thiel junior Patrick Morris in 5:39. With Waynesburg leading 27-9, the stage was set for sophomore 184-pounder Cody Catalina to clinch the team victory. Catalina came through for his team with an 11-4 decision over freshman Billy Roosa to make the score 30-9 in favor of the home team.

 

The two conference rivals split the final two bouts with Thiel winning by decision at 197 and freshman heavyweight Brandon Fedorka picking up a 3-1 decision victory over Will Ringer.

 

“The guys worked so hard for this match and came out ready,” said Waynesburg head coach Ron Headlee. “We start a lot of freshmen and they keep getting better and better. They're doing a great job.”

 

The Jackets return to the mats on Tuesday, Feb. 1, when they host Division II West Liberty State for senior night. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and will be the final dual match of the year for Waynesburg.

 

 

 

Waynesburg 33, Thiel 12

 

125 – Alex Crown (W) wins by fall in 1:52 over Tyler Pier              6-0

133 – Corey Brown (T) wins by 10-4 dec. over Rico Borz             6-3

141 – Nick Garber (W) wins by fall in 2:59 over Mike Klosiewicz    12-3

149 – Luke Lohr (W) wins by fall in 3:53 over Matt Butler              18-3

157 – Garrett Johnston (W) wins by 3-1 dec. over Alec Miller       21-3

165 – Matt Lowry (T) wins by fall in :18 over Sam Lombardo     21-9

174 – Jared Roberts (W) wins by fall in 5:39 over Patrick Morris   27-9

184 – Cody Catalina (W) wins by 11-4 dec. over Billy Roosa        30-9

197 – Andrew Riddle (T) wins by 9-6 dec. over Jake Linn           30-12

285 – Brandon Fedorka (W) wins by 3-1 dec. over Will Ringer      33-12