Lock Haven 133 lber Gable Strickland (photo courtesy of SJanickiPhoto.com)Happy Tuesday! Welcome back to our third week of a new series on InterMat called Top 5 Memorable MAC Moments, where I break down the top five matches, moments, or moves that were nominated by YOU!
This week, there were a few double, triple, and even quadruple nominations for some very impressive standout wrestlers. The MAC is NOT messing around. Mark my words. . . we’re coming for the big dogs.
Here are this week’s Top 5 Memorable MAC Moments nominated by YOU.
#5: Michael Wilson takes out #23 Tate Picklo of Oklahoma
In this MAC-Big 12 Conference matchup at 174lbs, Michael Wilson of Rider took down #23 ranked Tate Picklo of Oklahoma. Wilson was trailing 1-0 after a second-period escape was scored by Picklo. But, Wilson ended up outscoring Picklo in the third period, securing an escape and takedown before the final buzzer to finish off the match 3-1. This impressive upset enhances Wilson's season record to 19-8, while also notching the highest-ranked win of his career.
Two additional Broncs topped their Sooner opponents: #28 Quinn Kinner and #32 McKenzie Bell. Kinner (149) defeated Mitch Moore by a decision of 4-0 and McKenzie Bell (141) posted an 8-0 major decision over Gabe Vidlak.
Wilson and his team will wrestle at Edinboro on Friday, February 10th. Wrestling will begin at 7:00pm in the McComb Fieldhouse.
#4: NIU’s Terrese Aaron helps secure dual win over Buffalo
This weekend, NIU’s Terrese Aaron (HWT) won by a 9-6 decision over Buffalo’s Greg Hodulick to help secure the dual, 16-15. Aaron improves to 8-12 on the season. Aaron secured two MAC wins earlier in the season, topping Jacob Padilla of Ohio via technical fall (17-2) and SIU Edwardsville’s Dan McKiernan by a 3-1 decision.
Four additional Huskies topped their Buffalo opponents, aiding in this close victory. Blake West (125) won by an 8-4 decision over Mason Bush. Lucian Brink (133) topped Tommy Maddox by a decision of 6-2. Javion Jones (141) triumphed over Jack Marlow by a major decision of 13-2. Izzak Olejnik (165) had a solid 6-0 win over Noah Grover.
Northern Illinois will be back in action against Northwestern on Friday, February 10th at 7:00pm.
#3: Lock Haven Crowns 2 Edinboro Open Champions
On Sunday, Lock Haven crowned two Edinboro Open Champions. Gable Strickland (133) went 4-0 on the day defeating Canyon Wells of Cleveland State by fall in 3:46, Wilfried Tanefeu of Michigan by a technical fall (17-2) in 6:02, Jordan Villareal of Pittsburg by fall in 2:57, and lastly, Ethan Qureshi from Spartan Combat RTC by an 8-1 decision. Strickland improves his overall season record to 23-9.
Lock Haven’s second champion, Ashton Eyler (157), went a perfect 4-0 on the day, and 6-0 on the week. Eyler downed Trenton Wachter from Central Michigan by a 5-1 decision, Matt Hoelke from Rider by a decision of 8-1, Gavin Cagle from Virginia by a 7-0 decision, and finally, Ethan Barr from Kent State by a 9-0 major decision. Eyler improves his overall season record to 25-9.
Both Strickland and Eyler will look to defeat their upcoming opponents from George Mason on Saturday, February 11th at 1:00pm.
#2: Bloomsburg Secures Five Bonus Point Wins
The Huskies secured five bonus point wins on Sunday, topping their opponent Sacred Heart 34-11. Bloomsburg now improves to 4-9 on their overall season dual record. Bronson Garber (125) downed Mike Manta via technical fall. Michael Cassidy (133) also won by a technical fall over Ben Davoli. Josh Mason (141) triumphed over Dakota Asuncion by fall in 3:35. In addition, Cade Balestrini (149) won by fall over his opponent, Chris Naegele, in 6:36. The final Huskie to score bonus points was Bruno Stolfi (184) who defeated his opponent, Owen Ayotte, by fall in 1:55. Those five Huskies totaled 28 of the 34 points.
Two additional wrestlers from Bloomsburg topped their opponents, aiding in the Huskies victory. Tanner Culver (197) won by a 15-10 decision over Logan Michael. To close out the night, Shane Noonan (HWT) won by a decision of 9-4 over Marc Berisha.
The next conference battle will take place on Saturday, February 11th, where Bloomsburg will travel to Cleveland State. Wrestling is slated to begin at 1:00pm.
#1: Evan Maag of George Mason Avenges Early Season Loss and Tops Ranked Opponent
This week, true freshman Evan Maag avenged an early season loss and topped a ranked opponent. At the David Lehman F&M Open, Maag took a hard loss to Drew Witham of LIU, falling short by a decision of 9-2. The storybook was rewritten this week, as Maag won by fall over Witham in only 1:10 during the George Mason - LIU dual. A short time later, Maag topped #24th ranked Luke Nichter of Drexel by an 18-6 major decision. Maag improved his overall season record to 18-11.
Maag had two MAC wins earlier this season, topping Gannon Jaquay of Edinboro by technical fall (17-0) and Cade Balestrini of Bloomsburg by an 8-4 decision.
Maag and his teammates will be back in action on Saturday, February 11th against Lock Haven. Wrestling will begin at 1:00pm.
Before I close out this week’s Top 5 Memorable MAC Moments, I’d like to ask for your support, positive thoughts, and prayers for the Rider Wrestling Program. On Sunday night, Ian, a GoTeamIMPACT teammate, suffered a medical emergency. He underwent surgery on Monday, and is continuing to be monitored by specialists at CHOP. GoTeamIMPACT is a program that connects kids with serious illnesses and disabilities to college athletic teams, helping them to form lifelong bonds and promote life-changing outcomes. For more information, you can visit GoTeamIMPACT.
MAC Match-Ups (January 31 - January 6)
Lock Haven vs. Navy (24-17 Lock Haven)
Hofstra vs. George Mason (26-16 Hofstra)
Ohio vs. Kent State (28-9 Ohio)
George Mason vs. Long Island (35-6 George Mason)
Drexel vs. George Mason (28-13 Drexel)
Northern Illinois vs. Buffalo (16-15 Northern Illinois)
Bloomsburg vs. Sacred Heart (34-11 Bloomsburg)
Central Michigan vs. Kent State (22-15 Central Michigan)
Oklahoma vs. Rider (24-10 Oklahoma)
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