ALLENTOWN, Pa. (Feb. 4, 2023) – The USMMA wrestling team had three exciting Centennial Conference dual matches on Saturday at Muhlenberg College. The Mariners dropped their opener to McDaniel, 22-19, but rebounded to defeat both Johns Hopkins (29-16) and the host Mules (31-18) to finish the day 2-1. Merchant Marine closes out its dual matches with a 6-7 record (2-3 Centennial).
 
Meet Link

• Complete Results 

Three Mariners went a perfect 3-0 on the day, sophomore Charlie Lausten (Ashburn, Va.) at 141 who had two pints, freshman Ivan Corral (Oak Forest, Ill.) at 165, senior James Cruz (Belleville, N.J.) at 197 who had a pin and a technical fall and sophomore Reid Garrison (Broadway, Va.) at heavyweight who had one pin.
 
Three others both had two victories apiece – freshman Wesley Wydick (Utica, Ohio) at 133 who had a pin and a major decision, sophomore Eddie Pinc (Medina, Ohio) at 149 and sophomore Austin Manning (Virginia Beach, Va.) at 157 who had a tech fall.
 
In the first match against the Green Terror of McDaniel College, action was pretty even 6/10th of the way through, as McDaniel held a narrow 12-10 lead with four matches to go. The Green Terror earned back-to-back wins on a pin and a tech fall to go up 23-10 and that clinched the victory for them. After the Mariners earned a decision at 197 and a pin at 285, McDaniel was hit with a point deduction, but still won the match, 22-19.
 
The Mariners fell behind 10-0 to start the second match against Johns Hopkins, but four-straight wins on a pin and three decisions from 141-165 put them ahead 15-10. The Blue Jays went back ahead 16-15 with a pin at 174, but two-straight pins by sophomore Cade Cowley (Boulder City, Nev.) at 165 and Cruz at 197 put the Mariners ahead 27-16, clinching the win.
 
Muhlenberg opened up the nightcap with a forfeit win at 125 to go up 6-0, but Merchant Marine rattled off five-straight from 133-165 including two pins and a tech fall to go up 23-6. The Mules made it interesting with consecutive pins that made the score 23-18, but the 1-2 punch at the bottom of the lineup of Cruz and Garrison secured the win for the Mariners.
 
Next Saturday, Feb. 11, the Mariners will take part in the 2023 Centennial Conference Championships. The event will take place at Helfferich Hall on the campus of Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa. Links with more information about the Mets Championships, including possible live coverage, will be posted on the USMMA Wrestling Schedule Page closer to the event.
 
Receive USMMA Wrestling News Right To Your E-Mail!
If you would like to receive the latest news, including all press releases, for the USMMA wrestling team (or any other team at the academy), sent directly to your e-mail, fill out this form.
 
Follow USMMA Athletics On Social Media!
Be sure to follow USMMA Athletics on social media to get up-to-the-minute updates on your favorite teams! Start following today on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!