Back with a bang
Falcons open season with victory in Mercyhurst invite
SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Notre Dame Wrestling came back with a bang on Saturday. The Falcons competed in the National Catholic Invitational (NCI) hosted by Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa., and the Blue & White emerged with a team victory and four individual champions. NDC placed first amound six teams with a score of 128 points, more than 30 points clear of the host Mercyhurst Lakers who finished second in the event, with 95 points.
Reigning national champion Victer Crenshaw (Sr./Cincinnati, Ohio) breezed his way to a first-place finish at 165 to pace the Falcons. Crenshaw went 3-0 in Erie, collecting a pair of tech falls and a major. Crenshaw, who did not have a point scored on him all day, won his bouts by a combined score of 41-0. The Cincinnati native was an NCI individual champion last year (2007) as well.
In winning the NCI, the Falcons, ranked No. 7 on the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll, earned their first tournament championship in program history.
In aaddition to Crenshaw's exploits, sophomore Thomas Straughn (Massillon, Ohio) also had a big day for NDC. Not only did he win the 157-pound title, but he beat Mercyhurst junior Andy Lamancusa, the no.2-ranked NCAA Division II East Region defending champion, in the championship bout to do it. Straughn went 4-0 in the tournament.
Senior Chris Tripp (Cleveland, Ohio) picked up a win by fall in his semifinal bout, on the way to going 2-0 and claiming the 197-pound crown.
Freshman Jeff Pelton (Bellevue, Ohio) won the 149-pound title in his Falcon debut, going 3-0 in the process. Pelton earned a fall in the semifinals. In the title bout, the College Road newcomer bested a quality opponent in John Carroll senior Dan Mizener (Mason, Ohio). Pelton defeated Mizener, who went 18-8 last year and has 50 career victories, in an 8-2 decision. The JCU middleweight is currently ranked No. 9 (NCAA-III, NWCA) in the nation at 149.
Overall, nine Falcons placed in the NCI - that includes championships at 149, 157, 165, and 197. NDC also had a runner-up and two thirds on the day.
Sophomore Kurt Wolff (Genoa, Ohio) went 2-1 and placed second at 174-pounds. No. 6 ranked sophomore Tyler Savage (Carlisle, Ohio) placed third in the 125-pound class, after placing sixth in last year's NCI. Savage went 4-1 with one pin. No. 1 ranked junior Adam Koballa (Twinsburg, Ohio) went 3-1 in the 141-pound group, with one pin and one major; he placed third.
“This was a great day for our program,” said head coach Frank Romano. “Hopefully we have many more like it this season.”
Notre Dame will look to continue their winning ways next weekend. On Saturday, Nov. 15, they'll compete in the Harris Auto Center Open hosted by Ashland University. They'll follow that up Saturday when travel to Columbus to compete in the Ohio State Duals against the No. 4 (NCAA Div. I) Buckeyes.
NOTES FROM THE NEST…
VICTER-Y, PART II : Victer Crenshaw has owned this event in two years of competition. Not only has he won titles both times, but he has amassed four tech falls and three major decisions. In seven overall matches at the NCI, Crenshaw has outscored his opponents, 98-7.
STEP BY STEP: In three years of competing in the NCI, the Falcons have improved each year. In 2006 (the program's inaugural event), the Blue & White finished in fifth place, with 78.5 points. Last year, Notre Dame increased their place and points, finishing third with 98 points. … Today's first place finish bested NDC's previous best tournament finish, second place in the 2006 Simonson Invitational in Ashland, Ohio.
