Wrestling | 11/12/2015 9:16:00 PM
WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University wrestling team bounced back from an early deficit and pulled away to a 20-13 victory against Waynesburg (Pa.) Thursday night at the ASRC.
It was the home opener and the first dual meet win for the Hilltoppers (1-3) and their first-year head coach Mitch Smith, a former West Liberty All-American. Zach Brown got WLU off to a good start with a 3-2 decisions at 125 pounds but Waynesburg (0-2) countered with back-to-back wins at 133 and 141 to grab a 7-3 lead. West Liberty's Anthony Craig knotted the score at 7-7 with a 14-6 major decision against Dennis Grindle at 149 pounds and David Schlieper put the hosts ahead to stay with an 8-0 major decision shutout of Nick Kusich at 157. Decisions by DeMadre Turner and Daniel Carpenter at 165 and 174, respectively, gave the Hilltoppers a 17-7 edge. Ryan Shank kept Waynesburg's hopes alive with a win at 184 but Nate Dawson clinched it for West Liberty with an 11-6 romp past Joshua Sneeringer at 197.
The Hilltoppers have little time to celebrate as they hit the road on Friday night for a 7 p.m. match at No. 6-ranked Pitt-Johnstown.
WRESTLING
West Liberty 20, Waynesburg 13
174: Daniel Carpenter (WLU) d. Mike Millero, 11-8
197: Nate Dawson (WLU) d. Joshua Sneeringer (Way), 11-6
