SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – No. 5 Notre Dame College closed out their dual schedule with a 36-3 win over Lake Erie College, on Wednesday. The Falcons recorded one pin as
Jared Campbell finished the night with some flair in the heavyweight class. NDC now has a 7-3 dual record.
"I thought the guys wrestled hard tonight, coming off of a Friday and then wrestling on a Wednesday," said Head Coach
Sonny Marchette. "It's out our normal loop, but I thought the guys faired well. Some different challenges tonight, weight challenges with themselves. We're just trying to get better."
At 133 lbs., No. 1
Hunter Bray went up against Jacob Donahue and trailed 2-1 after one period. Bray would take the lead and then expanded it to 4-2 by the end of the second. He then closed the tight matchup with a 5-3 victory.
The top-ranked wrestler spoke after the dual about his success this season, including an undefeated record at the National Duals, an MEC Tournament Championship and being named the conference's Most Outstanding Wrestler at the tournament.
"I'm a firm believer that success doesn't happen overnight," Bray said. "Everything I was doing most of last year and working with some of the alumni here tonight, like
David Bavery. If it wasn't for him pushing me every single day, I wouldn't be in the situation I am now. I think this season, I came in knowing I was the starter. The coaches got to focus on me and I got to pick their brains. We have a young staff who wrestles with us everyday, so I get to train some of the best guys in the country."
No. 7
Kelan McKenna (141) and
Sandro Ramirez (149) grabbed early leads and won by decision and tech. fall, respectively.
The 157 lbs. matchup was likely the most exciting of the night. No. 7
Taylor Misuna was trailing 3-1 after two periods. With less than a minute to go in the third, Misuna had a takedown for two points before a penalty gave Lake Erie a point. NDC grabbed the lead when Misuna finished off another takedown, but Jacob Potok escaped to tie the match at six. A takedown in Sudden Victory gave the Notre Dame grappler the win.
After the 165 matchup was tied at six,
Jordon Tague took off and won 18-11.
Alonzo Turner was locked in a tight battle at 174, leading just 3-2 after two periods. He would win 5-2. No. 6
Tony Vezzetti's lead was just two points after one period, but he finished strong for an 11-1 win.
"What we have next is Regionals, so these next couple weeks, we're trying to gather the lineup," Marchette said. "We're battling injuries, time, more injuries. But, it's starting to mold. This is the team we're going to take to Regionals, we're comfortable with these guys."
The Falcons now travel to John Carroll University for the John Carroll Open on February 16. The NCAA Super Regional 3 takes place on February 29.
No. 5 Notre Dame College 36 – Lake Erie College 3
Johnny Craker, 125 lbs. – Lost to Jacob Johnson (Decision 7-1)
Hunter Bray, 133 – Defeated Jacob Donahue (Decision 5-3)
Kelan McKenna, 141 – Defeated Conor Donahue (Decision 8-5)
Sandro Ramirez, 149 – Defeated Anthony Vitale (Tech. Fall 22-6)
Taylor Misuna, 157 – Defeated Jacob Potok (Sudden Victory-1 8-6)
Jordon Tague, 165 – Defeated James Penfold (Decision 18-11)
Alonzo Turner, 174 -- Defeated Paul Scaramuzzino (Decision 5-2)
Tony Vezzetti, 184 – Defeated Honour Kline (Major Decision 11-1)
Michael Viramontes, 197 – Won by forfeit
Jared Campbell, 285 – Defeated Devin Uzelac (Fall 1:30)
