LHU men’s wrestling wins MAC East regular-season title en route to 10th straight victory
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LOCK HAVEN – The Lock Haven men's wrestling team welcomed Edinboro to the Thomas Fieldhouse for their final MAC dual of the season. The Bald Eagles came away with a 31-11 victory over the Fighting Scots. Lock Haven ends the regular season with a 14-5 record and have won their tenth straight dual en route to claiming the MAC East regular-season title.
"We knew going in we had to be sharp." Lock Haven coach Scott Moore said. "Took a couple losses, but overall just another great performance, eight wins out of 10. I think the way we finished the match is the way we want to finish our season, continue to attack and represent ourselves."
With the win, it marked Moore's 95th victory at The Haven. Additionally, the Bald Eagles end the season a perfect 7-0 in the MAC opposed to their 4-4 mark in conference last year.
"It’s just been a process." Moore said "We're excited about what we can do down the road in the future. I’m glad to be at Lock Haven, it’s a great place. I look forward to many years ahead."
Before the match Lock Haven honored seniors Avery Bassett, Colin Fegley, Wyatt Fox, Gavin Hoffman, Anthony Noto, Tyler Stoltzfus, and Nick Stonecheck for their dedication and contributions to Lock Haven and the men's wrestling program.
Edinboro got off to a fast start with a pin from Chris Vargo in 6:03 over Branden Wentzel at 125.
Lock Haven would respond with two decision victories at 133 and 141 from No. 17 Anthony Noto and No. 17 Wyatt Henson, respectively, tying the match 6-6.
Noto quickly jumped to a 7-0 lead over No. 31 Colton Camacho but an escape plus a seven-point move saw Camacho take an 8-7 lead. Noto regained the lead thanks to three takedowns and fended off Camacho for the 17-11 decision. With the win, Noto ends his Lock Haven career with a 24-1 mark in MAC duals.
"Came out strong, got up 7-0 real quick and then he [Camacho] came out with a little flurry," Noto said. "He caught me off guard, but I ended up just sticking to my pace and ended up getting a win in my last home dual."
Henson picked up a 9-6 decision win over Anthony Ferraro. The two wrestlers were tied 6-6 with just a handful of seconds before Henson scored the winning takedown.
Edinboro got back in the win column with a 17-2 tech fall from Ryan Michaels over Wyatt Fox in 5:00. The tech gave the Fighting Scots an 11-6 lead.
The Bald Eagles responded with a tech fall of their own from Nick Stampoulos at 157. The Bald Eagle had a 14-3 lead in the final period before Colin Roberts was called for a third stall giving Stampoulos two points. Stampoulos scored another takedown for the 19-3 tech fall in 5:21.
Lock Haven and Edinboro went into the break tied 11-11.
Out of the break, Lock Haven won the remaining five matches for a commanding victory.
Caden Dobbins topped Max Kirby 6-1 at 165. The two wrestlers were scoreless after the first before Dobbins scored four back-points for a 4-0 lead. The Bloomsburg Transfer defended well and held on for the decision victory giving Lock Haven their first lead of the night (14-11).
"I love this team," Dobbins mentioned. "I transferred at the end of May [2024] and bonded with the team. I’ve gotten a lot better since coming here."
Nationally ranked – No. 27 – Avery Bassett downed Brody Evans 7-3.
No. 26 Colin Fegley and No. 30 Tucker Hogan picked up back-to-back tech falls.
Fegley picked up the tech fall over Hunter Hutcheson at 184. The redshirt senior scored 13 points in the first period for a commanding lead. Fegley ended the dual with a takedown and three nearfall points for the 20-3 tech in 4:45.
Hogan downed Nick Lodato 19-3 in 4:44 to secure the dual victory for Lock Haven. Hogan improves his record on the year to 20-5. Hogan was ranked last in the MAC in the preseason rankings and is now ranked No. 1 in FloWrestling's MAC rankings. Hogan will be a heavy favorite to win the MAC title at 197 in March.
"He's been consistent," Moore mentioned. "As a freshman, you struggle with confidence at times, but tonight was a great match for him. Tonight was the best he’s wrestled and the most confident and we want to take that kind of mentality into the MAC tournament."
Gavin Hoffman topped Kade Sottolano by an 11-2 major decision. The Montoursville native had an 8-2 lead before scoring a takedown with under ten seconds left, pushing the win to a major.
Lock Haven 31, Edinboro 11
125: Chris Vargo (E) pinned Branden Wentzel, 6:03. 133: No. 17 Anthony Noto (LHU) dec No. 31 Colton Camacho, 17-11. 141: No. 17 Wyatt Henson (LHU) dec Anthony Ferraro, 9-6. 149: Ryan Michaels (E) tech fall Wyatt Fox, 17-2 (5:00). 157: Nick Stampoulos (LHU) tech fall Colin Roberts, 19-3 (5:21). 165: Caden Dobbins (LHU) dec Max Kirby, 6-1. 174: No. 27 Avery Bassett (LHU) dec Brody Evans, 7-3. 184: No. 26 Colin Fegley (LHU) tech fall Hunter Hutcheson, 20-3 (4:45). 197: No. 30 Tucker Hogan (LHU) tech fall Nick Lodato, 19-3 (4:44). 285: No. 17 Gavin Hoffman (LHU) maj. dec Kade Sottolano, 11-2.