GREENVILLE, Pennsylvania -- The Baldwin Wallace University wrestling team had a 2-1 record today at the annual Thiel (Pa.) College Mel Berry Duals in the Beeghly Gymnasium. Competing teams were host Thiel, Lycoming (Pa.) College and Mercyhurst (Pa.) North East.
At Thiel, BW lost to Lycoming, 24-21; beat No. 24-ranked Thiel, 22-14; and beat Mercyhurst North East, 36-22. With its 2-1 record, the Yellow Jackets are now 5-2 overall and next compete at the University of Mount Union on Tuesday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Leading the way were sophomore 125-pounder Jesse Gunter (Akron/ Coventry), sophomore 165-pounder David Shapiro (Beachwood) and sophomore 285-pounder Joe Belford (Berea/ Lakewood St. Edward) all finished 3-0. Belford, who returned to the team on Tuesday after missing the first half of the season, had two pins and owns a 3-0 record this winter. Shapiro had a 2-0 mark at 165 pounds and 1-0 slate at 174 pounds and is now 24-8 overall with a team-leading 24 victories. Gunter had a pin, a major decision and a decision to improve to 17-2 this winter and 46-4 in his two-year career. He is currently ranked 10th in Division III at 125 pounds in the most recent NWCA (National Wrestling Coaches Association) adidas-Brute individual rankings.
Against Lycoming, Gunter won at 125 pounds by major decision, 16-4; senior 133-pounder Andrew Taylor (Worthington/ Kilbiurne) won by major decision, 10-2; Shapiro won at 165 pounds by major decision, 14-3; sophomore 174-pounder Ben LeBrun (Strongsville) won by decision, 6-1 and is 20-6 overall; and Belford won at 285 pounds by pin in 1:13.
Against Thiel, Gunter won at 125 pounds by decision, 6-1; Taylor won at 133 piounds by major decision, 12-4 and is now 15-11 overall; sophomore 141-pounder Joey Schmidt (Hinckley/ Brunswick) won by pin in just 37 seconds; sophomore 157-pounder Garrett Chase (Erie, Pa./ Cathedral Prep) won by decision, 5-3; Shapiro won at 165 pounds by decision, 7-3; and Belford won at 285 pounds by decision, 5-1.
Against Mercyhurst North East, Gunter won at 125 pounds by pin in 1:20; Schmidt won at 141 pounds by forfeit to improve to 18-9 this season; freshman 149-pounder Graham Montague (Independence) won by pin in 1:01 and is 14-12 this season; Chase won at 157 pounds by forfeit and is 19-3 overall; Shapiro won at 174 pounds by pin in 5:00; and Belford won by pin in 5:00.
Following its match at Mt. Union next Tuesday, the Yellow Jackets will compete at the Wheaton (Ill.) Tournament on Jan. 31 and March 1.
Media and fans are reminded that BW will host the 28th Annual John Summa memorial Tournament in the Higgins Center Fieldhouse on Saturday, February 8. Action is scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m.
FOR MORE BW SPORTS INFORMATION, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327 and e-mail at kruple@bw.edu or Assistant SID Jeff Miller by phone at 440-826-2780 and email at jefmille@bw.edu. Fans can access the latest BW athletics information at www.bwyellowjackets.comand we invite you to join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bwyellowjackets and Twitter athttp://twitter.com/bwathletics.