November MAC Recap

Tell a friend to tell a friend, she’s baaaaack, and so is the MACtion. There has been a lot of wrestling this past month. So, let’s get into it!

George Mason remains undefeated, 6-0

George Mason is 6-0 on the season, remaining undefeated. They’re the only undefeated team in the country to have six duals under them this early into the season. This is their second-best start to a season. Yes, they did even better than this back in the 22-23 season when they opened their season going 8-0. George Mason has beaten Bloomsburg (42-0), Millersville (54-0), Williams College (37-6), Edinboro (21-18), Clarion (26-9), and SIUE (32-8).  

Ohio beats B1G opponent Wisconsin on Nov. 1, 25-14

Both redshirt junior and 2024 All-American, Peyten Kellar and redshirt freshman Kaden Jett won tough overtime matches. At 141 pounds, Jett won 5-2, while Kellar had a close 8-7 victory at 157 pounds. Before redshirt sophomore Austin Starr gave Ohio a decisive 15-1 major decision at 197 pounds, the Bobcats and Badgers were close. The team's win was cemented when redshirt senior Jordan Greer defeated Gannon Rosenfeld of Wisconsin by a major decision of 13-4 at 285 pounds. 

Lock Haven shuts out Bloomsburg, 48-0

It was Lock Haven's first shutout since the 2018–19 season. All ten matches were won by the Bald Eagles, who also won six of seven with bonus points. Anthony Noto (133), Wyatt Henson (141), and Lucas Kapusta (149) all had consecutive technical falls. Nick Stampoulos (157), Caden Dobbins (165), and James Lledo (197) all prevailed by major decision, while Ethan Miller ended the evening with a decision at 285. Lock Haven also benefited from three forfeits that evening, Sean Logue, (125), Tyler Stoltzfus (174), and Colin Fegley (184). Additionally, it was the tenth consecutive victory over the Huskies.

NIU defeats Rider for the first time in program history, 20-19

The last two matches were the deciding factor. The Huskies lost the next five matches to the Broncs after winning the first three, which included two bonus points. The Huskies were within two points at 19-17 after Spencer Mooberry earned a victory by fall, and Jacob Christensen held out for a 3-1 decision to give NIU the W. 

Rider wins first dual of the season over Wisconsin, 28-12

Steyn De Lange set the tone for the dual at 197 pounds by defeating Niccolo Colucci 4-3 after a fierce battle. McKenzie Bell, at 141 pounds, started things off by defeating Brock Bobzien 10-4. Both Isaac Dean and Sammy Alvarez performed takedown clinics, earning tech falls. At 157 pounds, Colton Washleski earned a pin against Luke Mechler. At 165 pounds, Enrique Munguia maintained the Broncs' momentum by defeating Cale Anderson via major decision, 9-0. After an exciting comeback against Luke Condon, Michael Wilson, weighing 174 pounds, sealed the dual for the Broncs. After falling behind 9-3, Wilson went double under to win 10-9 and formally seal the Rider win. 

Clarion’s standout, John Worthing 

John Worthing (174) of Clarion is their standout wrestler. He is their only wrestler in the starting lineup with one loss thus far in the season, currently sitting at 5-1. His lone loss to Michigan’s Joseph Walker. Worthing ended his 23-24 season going 19-10, placing third at the MAC tournament. He was also an NCAA qualifier from the 2023 tournament. 

Lock Haven Knows Wrestling

The Bald Eagles have had winners at every tournament they’ve entered thus far this season. Connor Eck (157) went undefeated at Journeymen and won the Millersville Open. They ended the Princeton Open with one winner, Wyatt Henson (141), and five finalists, Anthony Noto (133), Lucas Kapusta (149), Nick Stampoulos (157), Colin Fegley (184), and Tucker Hogan (197). Lock Haven also won the PRTC team title with 149.5 points. Noto, Bassett (165), Fegley, and Hogan were all champions with 11 other placers. 

To start December, Lock Haven’s Gable Strickland wrestled unattached and won the Mat-Town Open (hosted by Lock Haven). 

Rider’s standout, Isaac Dean

Isaac Dean (184) of Rider is one of their standouts. The Broncs hosted the West Virginia Mountaineers on Nov. 14 at Rider. Dean beat WVU’s Ian Bush who at the time was ranked #22, 4-2. Dean is now in the Intermat rankings at 31st in the country. Dean went 13-14 on the 23-24 season. He is currently 6-2 on the season.

MAC Wrestlers in the rankings

133 

#14 Anthony Noto (Lock Haven)

141

#23 Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven)

149

#22 Sammy Alvarez (Rider)

#26 Ryan Burgos (Edinboro)

157

#5 Peyten Kellar (Ohio)

#17 Johnny Lovett (Central Michigan

#20 Colton Washleski (Rider)

#25 DJ McGee (George Mason)

#33 Nick Stampoulos (Lock Haven)

165

#24 Evan Maag (George Mason)

#32 Enrique Munguia (Rider)

174

#17 Alex Cramer (Central Michigan)

#23 Garett Thompson (Ohio)

#32 John Worthing (Clarion)

#33 Tyler Stoltzfus (Lock Haven)

184

#24 Malachi DuVall (George Mason)

#28 Colin Fegley (Lock Haven)

#31 Isaac Dean (Rider)

285

#19 Daniel Bucknavich (Cleveland State)

#22 Jordan Greer (Ohio)

#24 Bryan Caves (Central Michigan)

#31 Jacobi Jackson (Northern Illinois)