Men's Wrestling | 11/14/2014 9:04:00 PM
WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University wrestling team dropped a 26-9 decision to Pitt-Johnstown Friday night in the Hilltoppers' home opener at the ASRC.
The debuting Mountain Cats won the first three matches to grab a quick 10-0 lead before Joel Paolo – a Pitt-Johnstown transfer – got West Liberty on the board with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Colin Landowski, who entered the match ranked No. 8 in the nation at 149 pounds. Art Hobley made it two in a row for the hosts with a 6-5 win against Steve Edwards at 157 but UPJ won the next four matches to put the victory on ice. Hilltopper heavyweight Aaron Silverio provided one final bright spot for the hosts when he came from behind in the final 30 seconds to pull out a 6-3 victory against Josh Duplin in the first sudden victory period. The West Liberty wrestlers return to action on Nov. 22 when they compete in the Simonson Open, hosted by Ashland (Ohio).
WRESTLING
Pitt-Johnstown 26, West Liberty 9
141: Malachi Krenzelak (UPJ) d. Cole Nace, 9-7 197: Nikos Garofola (UPJ) d. Nate Dawson, 9-5
