ALLIANCE, Ohio -- Notre Dame competed in Mount Union College's Purple Raider Open on Sunday in Alliance, Ohio.  The tournament was dominated by the No. 7-ranked Blue & White who had multiple weight class champions and placers, among grapplers representing nine collegiate programs.  (Results)

The NDC performance was highlighted by four NDC varsity wrestlers who earned championships - #Dante Rini# at 125, #Paul Rose# at 133, #Jared King# at 157, and #Jason Spencer# at 165.  Falcon grapplers also earned both  runner-up (#Brett Freeman#) and third-place (#Jeffrey Pelton#) finishes at 149.

Rini went 2-0 on the day, picking up his first pin of the season in the semifinals over Shawn Feistamel from Muskingum.  Rini then completed his sweep with a 5-2 decision over Seton Hill's (Pa.) Kenny Trumbetta. 

 

Rose advanced to the finals with a major decision in the semifinals, before pinning Jeff Marianetti from Thiel (Pa.) at the 2:25 mark of the championship bout.  Rose's overall record now stands at 9-8.

 

King stayed perfect on the season at 7-0 after winning all three of his matches on Sunday.  King rode a tech fall and a forfeit on his way to the championship bout, a 7-1 decision over Mercyhurst's (Pa.) Jordan Shields, ranked No. 2 in NCAA-Division II.  Shields came into the match fresh off a victory over the top-ranked wrestler earlier this week.

 

Spencer went 4-0 with one major on the day to claim the 165-pound crown.  Spencer's major in the preliminary round was his second straight major, dating back to last weekend's National Duals (Jan. 10).  Spencer's record is now 10-5.

 

The Falcons claimed one second-place trophy, and two thirds as well.  Freeman was the runner-up in the 149-pound weight class, going 3-1 with two pins.  Freeman had to forfeit the championship bout for medical reasons.  Sunday's bouts were Freeman's first of the season.

 

Pelton finished third in the 149-pound class, and #Thomas Straughn# placed third at 157-pounds.  Pelton and Straughn are now tied for the team-lead with 19 wins apiece.  Pelton's record is 19-1, and Straughn's is 19-3.  Both Pelton and Straughn, also, debuted in the Top-10 of their respective weight classes this week.  Pelton comes in at No. 4, while Straughn debuts at No. 5.

 

#Garrett Haas# (133), No. 1-ranked #Adam Koballa# (141), and #Kurt Wolff# (174) all placed sixth in their respective weight classes for the Falcons. 

 

“We had several strong performances in each weight class,” said head coach #Frank Romano#.  “Coming off of last weekend's National Duals, I wasn't sure what to expect.  I was proud of the way we represented Notre Dame College.”

 

The Falcons will be back on the mat next weekend as they travel to the Campbellsville (Ky.) Duals on Saturday. 

 

 

NOTES FROM THE NEST…

 

NEW RANKINGS:  In the Jan. 13th edition of the NAIA Rankings, NDC moved into a tie at No. 7 with Menlo (Calif.)  Lindenwood (Mo.) remains in the top-spot. … The Falcons have four wrestlers ranked in their respective classes.  Tyler Savage remains in the No. 6 spot at 125-pounds, and Koballa held onto the No. 1 spot in the 141-pound class.  Pelton, No. 5 at 149-pounds, and Straughn, No. 4 at 157-pounds, debuted in the rankings this week.