ALLIANCE, Ohio – Alec Cook won the 157-pound championship to lead seven West Liberty University placers here Saturday as several members of the No. 5-ranked Hilltopper wrestling team competed in the Mount Union Invitational.
    "This was a big step forward after a disappointing night in our season-opening dual on Thursday," head coach Danny Irwin said. "The guys who competed today brought a ton of effort and attitude which will really propel us forward into this upcoming week."
    Cook, a returning MEC champion and Super Region 3 placer from Weirton Madonna High School, was a perfect 4-0 on the mat Saturday afternoon. He rode a decision, a major decision and a technical fall into the 157-pound final where he gutted out a 9-8 decision against Chance Esmont, a fifth-year senior from Ashland, to take the title.
    "Alec was absolutely fierce with his attack rate today," said Irwin. "He gave himself multiple opportunities to light up the scoreboard and that's exactly what he did."
    Cook, who had opened his season with a first-period fall in an exhibition bout prior to Thursday's dual against Pitt-Johnstown said he entered Saturday's tournament with a simple philosophy.
    "(Wrestle) seven minutes, score points and have fun," Cook said with a smile.
    The former Blue Don wasn't the only Hilltopper to move the needle on Saturday.
    Sophomore 149-pounder Jonah Smith, celebrating his return to the mat after sitting out last season with an injury, reeled off four straight wins before coming up short against Ashland senior two-time All-American Carson Speelman in the 149-pound final.
    "I'm pleased to have made it to the championship match today," Smith said, "but the main takeaway I have from this experience is that I still have plenty of room for improvement. Even so, I'm super excited to be back competing again."
    Also placing for the Black and Gold on Saturday were Brayden Johnson, fourth at 141; Carter Winegardner, fourth at 149; Drake Kendrex, fourth at 184; Jamie Kilmer, fifth at 285 and Keaton Grider, eighth at 197.
    The Hilltoppers return to dual meet action on Wednesday when they make the short trek to Wheeling for a mutual Mountain East Conference opener. First match is set for 6:30 p.m. at the McDonough Center.
       1. Ashland 188.5; 2. Mount Union 140; 3. Ohio Northern 124.5; 4. SUNY-Brockport 106.5; 5. WEST LIBERTY 98.5; 6. Gannon 82.5; 7. Mount St. Joseph 73.5; 8. Brewton-Parker 73; 9. PSU-Behrend 9; 10. Hiram 7.      149: Carson Speelman (Ash) md. Jonah Smith, 11-0
     157: Alec Cook (WLU) d. Chance Esmont (Ash), 9-8      141: Luke Wymer (Ash) d. Brayden Johnson (WLU), 3-2
     149: Jesse Bowers (Ash) p. Carter Winegardner (WLU), 1:29
     184: Nathaniel Armstrong (MSJ) d. Drake Kendrex (WLU), 3-2      285: Jamie Kilmer (WLU) wbf. Joel Faglier (B-P), forfeit      197: Eddie Farrell (Gan) d. Keaton Grider (WLU), 8-2