Rider head coach John Hangey (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Welcome back to Week #5 of the Top 5 Memorable MAC Moments, nominated by YOU! These past five weeks have been nothing short of exciting for the MAC. I want to thank every wrestler, coach, referee, and fan that has nominated a match, moment, or move that stood out. You’ve made this new series incredibly successful, and I am so thankful for all of your support.
For the final time this season, here are this week’s Top 5 Memorable MAC Moments.
#5: Northern Illinois’ Hayden Pummel Earns 1st Period Fall to Secure Dual
In this All-MAC Conference matchup at 174lbs, Hayden Pummel defeated Chase Diehl of SIU Edwardsville by fall in 1:53 to help secure the team dual, 25-12. Pummel previously topped Diehl by fall in 3:40. Pummel improves his overall season record to 15-12.
Pummel had three MAC wins earlier this season including: Ricardo Salin of Northern Illinois by a 1-0 decision, Tate Geiser from Cleveland State by a decision of 6-3, and Michael Ferree of Kent State by a 16-5 major decision.
Pummel and his teammates will travel to Fairfax, Virginia on March 3rd and March 4th, where they will compete in the Mid-American Conference Championships.
#4: University at Buffalo’s Greg Hodulick Downs Opponent to Win Dual
This weekend, The University at Buffalo’s Greg Hodulick (HWT) triumphed over Ohio’s Jacob Padilla by fall in :54 to secure the dual, 22-17. Hodulick improves to an overall season record of 8-14.
Hodulick had three MAC wins prior to this inter-conference dual, including: Shane Noonan of Bloomsburg by a 7-4 decision, Tyler McCatharn from Bloomsburg by a 14-3 major decision, and Dan McKiernan of SIU Edwardsville by fall in 6:58.
Hodulick and the Bulls will be back in action at the MAC Championships on Friday, March 3rd and Saturday, March 4th in Fairfax, Virginia.
#3: Drew Dickson of George Mason Avenges Early Season Loss
On Friday, Drew Dickson (165) of George Mason avenged an early season loss to Hunter Mays of Rider by an 8-5 decision. Previously, Dickson fell short to Mays by an 18-8 major decision at the Princeton Open. This win brings Dickson’s overall season record to 15-15.
Two additional Patriots topped their opponents from Rider. Peter Pappas (157) won by a 3-2 decision over Colton Washleski and Malachi Duvall (184) downed Isaac Dean by a 9-6 decision.
The Patriots will look to defeat their inter-conference opponents at the Mid-American Conference Championships on March 3rd and March 4th at EagleBank Arena.
#2: Lock Haven and Rider Earn Co-MAC East Dual Meet Champions
Over the weekend, both Lock Haven University and Rider University earned Co-MAC East Dual Meet Champions. Lock Haven posted an 8-7 overall season dual meet record, while Rider posted a 9-5 overall season dual meet record.
The Broncs topped the following schools during the 2022-2023 season: Cleveland State 25-9, Drexel 26-12, George Mason 27-9, Clarion 25-12, Edinboro 28-6, Princeton 19-18, Bloomsburg 31-6, Purdue 23-13, and SIU Edwardsville 21-19.
The Eagles topped the following schools: Edinboro 29-9, American 24-9, George Mason 24-15, Navy 24-17, Bloomsburg 40-1, Rider 21-12, Cleveland State 20-16, Davidson 31-13.
Lock Haven and Rider will look to battle during the MAC Championships on March 3rd and March 4th in Fairfax, Virginia.
#1: Rider Coach John Hangey Earns 50th Career Win
Rider’s Head Coach John Hangey earned his 50th career win after the Broncs closed out the regular season with three straight wins.
Hangey entered his sixth year as the Head Coach for the Broncs this season with a 41-24 overall record. Throughout his time at Rider, he has notched many notable accomplishments. In the 2020-2021 season, the Broncs finished 24th in the overall dual meet rankings, earned 3rd place at the MAC Championships, were blessed with six NCAA Qualifiers, earned a Top 20 team finish at the NCAA’s, and had the program's first-ever NCAA Finalist, Jesse Dellavecchia. At the conclusion of the 2020-2021 season, Coach Hangey was named the Co-MAC Coach of the Year, alongside Brian Smith from Missouri, who has now returned to the Big 12 Conference.
Additionally, during the 2019-2020 season, Rider University was crowned the MAC East Champions, defeated #6 ranked Minnesota, and earned a title at the Virginia Dual with a solid win over #17 ranked Virginia in the finals.
Prior to his coaching career at Rider, Hangey was a Division I All-American for the Broncs program, where he finished 4th at 190lbs during his senior season in 1993. Additionally, he was a three-time conference champion, three-time NCAA Qualifier, and the only Bronc to ever win the Midlands. To top off an incredible wrestling career, in 2000, Coach Hangey was inducted into the Rider Athletics Hall of Fame.
Coach Hangey and the Broncs will be back in action at the Mid-American Conference Championships in EagleBank Arena on March 3rd and March 4th.
Honorable Mention:
Luke Kemerer (157) of Edinboro won by fall over John Noah Reho of Bloomsburg in :53.
Will Feldkamp (184) won by fall over Donovan Ball of Penn State in 1:20.
MAC Match-Ups (January 14 - January 21)
Rider vs. George Mason (27-9 Rider)
West Virginia vs. Clarion (24-18 West Virginia)
Edinboro vs. Bloomsburg (23-18 Edinboro)
Michigan State vs. Central Michigan (20-13 Michigan State)
Rider vs. Cleveland State (25-9 Rider)
Rider vs. Drexel (26-12 Rider)
Drexel vs. Cleveland State (27-15 Drexel)
Buffalo vs. Ohio (22-17 Buffalo)
West Virginia vs. Lock Haven (34-9 West Virginia)
Penn State vs. Clarion (40-6 Penn State)
Northern Illinois vs. SIU Edwardsville (25-12 Northern Illinois)
Michigan vs. Central Michigan (30-9 Michigan)
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