FT. WAYNE, Indiana -- The 15th-ranked Baldwin Wallace University wrestling team finished with a 2-2 record at the 2016 NWCA Multi-Divisional National Duals on January 8 in the Allen County War Memorial Fieldhouse.
BW (11-7) defeated No.24-ranked New York University, 24-12, in its first match, lost to No.4-ranked Roger Williams (R.I.) University, 24-11, in the Round of 16 and tied No.23-ranked Wilkes (Pa.) University, 20-20, but lost via criteria number two, in the first round of the consolation bracket. Wilkes gained the victory due to the fact that it had the only fall (pin) in the match. In the consolation Challenge matches, BW also defeated North Central (Ill.) College, 23-17.
Leading the way were senior Division III All-American 174-pounder Garrett Chase (Erie, Pa./ Cathedral Prep) and senior two-time All-American 133-pounder Jesse Gunter (Akron/ Coventry). Chase had a perfect 4-0 mark with a technical fall and three wins by decision and improved his mark this season to 13-3 and his career slate to 109-33. Gunter had a 3-1 record, including his 100th career victory, a 19-4 technical fall against his opponent from Roger Williams. Gunter also had two other technical falls. He has a 102-13 career mark.
In addition, sophomore 125-pounder Chris Doyle (Akron/ Green), senior 149-pounder Joe Schmidt (Hinckley/ Brunswick) and sophomore All-Ohio Athletic Conference 197-pounder Tyler Maclellan (Medina/ CVCA) each finished 3-1. Senior 285-pounder Joe Belford (Berea/ Lakewood St. Edward) was 2-2.
In its win versus No.24 NYU, Doyle and Belford each pinned their opponents and junior 141-pounder Zack Taylor (Brunswick), Schmidt, Chase and Maclellan all won by decision.
Despite the loss to No.4 Roger Williams, Gunter won by a technical fall (19-4) and both Doyle and Chase gained wins by decision.
In the loss to No.23 Wilkes, Gunter again won by technical fall (15-0), Chase won by technical fall (18-3), Schmidt won with a major decision (10-1) and both Maclellan and Belford won by decision.
In the win versus North Central, Doyle won by forfeit, Gunter won by technical fall (17-2), Schmidt, Chase and Maclellan all won by decision as did senior 184-pounder Ben LeBrun (Strongsville).
The Yellow Jackets are back in action on January 19 when they return to Ohio Athletic Conference action and travel to University Heights to wrestle OAC and Cleveland cross-town rival John Carroll University at 7:30 p.m. in the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center.
