The Berg grapplers only dropped three matches to Ohio Northern to remain undefeated in the OAC in 2013-14. Third year head coach Ned Shuck's career OAC record moves to 11-4 after tonight's triumph over the Polar Bears.
"We are going to enjoy tonight and we will appreciate the effort and hard work it takes to be OAC champs," said Shuck. "Tomorrow we will forget about it and prepare for the Mideast Regionals. It is an important achievement (to win the OAC), we did it in solid fashion and we were confident in our wins. But now we get ready for York, Pa. and the competition we will face at Regionals."
The Student Princes were awarded a forfeit at 125-pounds to take an immediate 6-0 lead. After sophomore Tyler Price accepted the forfeit at 125, sophomore Colin McDermitt extended the Berg's lead.
McDermitt scored a decisive 12-3 major decision at 133-pounds moving the Berg's lead to 10-0.
Senior Ian Gillespie, in his final OAC match earned a dominant 13-0 major decision at 141-pounds to push the Student Princes ahead, 14-0.
Sophomore Damon Cheek claimed the third major decision of the evening, 10-2. After the 149-pound weight class, the Student Princes controlled the match 18-0.
Fellow sophomore Aaron Banko suffered the first Heidelberg loss of the night at 157-pounds. Banko was handed a slim 4-3 decision to put the Polar Bears on the board.
Senior Jeremy Stepp concluded a stellar year in the OAC with a six-point victory, 11-5. Stepp's decision pushed the score to 21-3 in Heidelberg's favor before junior Brennan Kelly dropped the Berg's second match of the night. Kelly went down to the Polar Bear's Tyler Gargano, who is currently ranked by d3wrestle.com.
The Student Princes sealed the match and their seventh OAC regular season championship at 184-pounds with a major decision from junior Richard Dowdley. Dowdley clinched the match with an impressive 11-3 triumph.
Senior Jason Russell concluded a one-loss year in the OAC at 197-pounds with a close victory. Russell scored a 1-0 decision with riding time over Michael Pawlitz to push the Heidelberg advantage to 28-6.
Freshman 285-pounder Alex Farrow fought valiantly against nationally ranked Cody Lovejoy but surrendered the third 'Berg loss of the night. The young heavyweight fell to Lovejoy, 10-3 after scoring a crucial takedown in the final minute of the match and not allowing the Polar Bear score the major decision.
"I just want to say thanks for all of the support this season," said Shuck. "It takes a family to win a championship It's not just the guys that wrestled in the duals, it is the student body, the administration, the other sports teams and their athletes, the friends and family of the program. It's the 30+ guys on the team that work hard and prepare for their opportunity everyday. Not just the ten, it is a family of teammates and it was cool to win this OAC title for all of them."
The 18-point victory over Ohio Northern moves the Student Princes to an undefeated 5-0 in conference action this season and earns them their second consecutive OAC regular season title.
"Guys have been working really hard and this is just a small step toward the Regional and NCAA Championships," said assistant Patrick Wright.
The Heidelberg wrestling team will return to the mat on Sunday, March 2 for the Mideast Regional Championships. The Mideast Regional will be host by York College in York, Pa.
Results:
125 Ty Price (Heidelberg) won by forfeit over Unknown (Unattached) . 0 6.00
133 Colin McDermitt (Heidelberg) won by major decision over Cole Cochran (Ohio Northern) 12-3. 0 4.00
141 Ian Gillespie (Heidelberg) won by major decision over Cody Harting (Ohio Northern) 14-0. 0 4.00
149 Damon Cheek (Heidelberg) won by major decision over Ryan Fowler (Ohio Northern) 10-2. 0 4.00
157 Kyler Deeter (Ohio Northern) won by decision over Aaron Banko (Heidelberg) 4-3. 3.00 0
165 Jeremy Stepp (Heidelberg) won by decision over Keegan Shillito (Ohio Northern) 11-5. 0 3.00
174 Tyler Gargano (Ohio Northern) won by decision over Brennan Kelly (Heidelberg) 3-2. 3.00 0
184 Richard Dowdley (Heidelberg) won by major decision over Dillon Brancheau (Ohio Northern) 11-3. 0 4.00
197 Jason Russell (Heidelberg) won by decision over Michael Pawlitz (Ohio Northern) 1-0. 0 3.00
285 Cody Lovejoy (Ohio Northern) won by major decision over Alex Farrow (Heidelberg) 12-3. 4.00 0
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