SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – For the first time in over a month, Notre Dame College wrestling was able to face competition. They took care of Wheeling University in the Murphy Gymnasium, on Thursday evening, winning by a score of 44-6.

Sophomore Jake Arnold went up against Christian Zickefoose in the first match of the day, at 125 lbs. In the second period, Zickefoose was unable to finish the bout and Arnold won via medical forfeit.

Wheeling got on the board after Chase Montgomery won at 133 by forfeit. And after a double forfeit at 141, sophomore Matthew Kaufmann (149) and junior Sandro Ramirez (157) both gave NDC six points after winning by forfeit.

Freshman Cale Hoskinson made quick work of his matchup at 165. He grabbed a 2-1 lead before pinning Austin Mele with 29 seconds remaining in the first period. Sophomore Thomas Schmitt (174) and freshman Nick McCarthy (184) each took victories via forfeit for NDC.

NDC was leading 36-6 when senior Logan Hall ran onto the mat to face Wheeling's River Pappas. Hall used a couple of near falls to jump out to a 12-1 advantage after the first period. Less than a minute into the second, he pushed the lead to 13 (14-1) and then finished the match with four more points to win by tech fall. That would give the Falcons five points.

The heavyweight match was a close bout between NDC's Michael Viramontes and WU's Clarouly Meca. Meca held a 4-2 lead after two periods before Viramontes came back. The Notre Dame grappler earned a point for an escape and then was credited with a takedown to grab a 5-4 lead in the third.

"It's great to be back on the scene," said head coach Sonny Marchette. "I'm happy for the guys to have a chance to go out there and compete tonight and those who were able to wrestle, wrestled well."

Notre Dame will wrestle at the Mount Union Open on Jan. 16.

Notre Dame 44 – Wheeling 6
Jake Arnold, 125 lbs. – Defeated Christian Zickefoose (Medical forfeit)
Wheeling's Chase Montgomery won by forfeit at 133
Double forfeit, 141
Matthew Kaufmann, 149 – Won by forfeit
Sandro Ramirez, 157 – Won by forfeit
Cale Hoskinson, 165 – Defeated Austin Mele (Fall 0:29, first period)
Thomas Schmitt, 174 – Won by forfeit
Nick McCarthy, 184 – Won by forfeit
Logan Hall, 197 – Defeated River Pappas (Tech Fall 18-1)
Michael Viramontes, 285 – Defeated Clarouly Meca (Decision 7-4)