COLUMBUS, Ohio (Feb. 22, 2016) – The Edinboro University wrestling team put up a good battle against ninth-ranked Ohio State on Monday night, winning four of the ten matches in the NWCA National Duals Championship Series dual at St. John Arena. The Buckeyes came up with two falls and two major decisions to outdistance the Fighting Scots, 26-13. Edinboro ended the regular season at 8-11, with eight of the losses to nationally-ranked teams, while the Buckeyes are 11-3.

The match got underway with defending national champion Nathan Tomasello winning by fall at 4:00 over Sean Russell, as the Buckeye remained undefeated at 18-0. Russell is now 24-7.

Anthony Rivera got the Fighting Scots on the board with a 6-0 decision over Mike Manuche at 133 lbs. Rivera opened with a takedown in the second, followed by an escape and a second takedown in the second period. He rode Manuche out in the third while improving to 9-12.

True freshman Tyler Vath (9-19) fell by a 22-9 major decision to fourth-ranked Micah Jordan at 141 lbs., as Jordan boosted his record to 20-1. The second true freshman in Edinboro's lineup, 18^th-ranked Patricio Lugo, followed with a hard-earned 3-2 decision over Cody Burcher (10-7) at 149 lbs. Following a scoreless first period, Burcher rode out Lugo in the second.  Burcher would escape for a 1-0 lead early in the third, but Lugo would register the winning takedown and keep Burcher on the mat the rest of the way to eliminate riding time. Lugo improved to 27-6.

At 157 lbs., Austin Matthews faced another tough opponent and nearly pulled off the upset of tenth-rankled Jake Ryan. The redshirt sophomore, ranked 16^th, fell to 7-4 as he suffered a 4-3 loss to Ryan, who is now 15-2. Riding time would prove the difference, with Ryan recording the lone takedown in the first period.
Casey Fuller battled third-ranked Bo Jordan on even terms into the second period before being pinned at 3:34. A wild first period saw Jordan grab a 7-6 lead, with Fuller up 5-2 at one point thanks to an escape, takedown, and two nearfall points. Jordan would rally and a second period takedown after Fuller had tied the match at 7-7 with an escape led to the fall. Fuller fell to 24-8 while Jordan is now 14-1.

The Buckeyes went up 23-6 as Myles Martin, ranked 14^th at 174 lbs., won a 13-4 major decision over Patrick Jennings, who fell to 20-15 with the setback.  Martin improved to 24-5.

Edinboro would end the night winning two of the final three matches. Sixth-ranked Vic Avery won a 19-7 major decision over Domenic Prezzia, who was filling in for regular Kenny Courts. While the matchup between two All-Americans did not take place, Avery impressed with eight takedowns in the match. He held an 8-4 lead after two periods, then exploded for four more takedowns in the third while improving to 10-1 and picking up his 93^rd career victory.

Vince Pickett (18-16) suffered a tough 2-1 setback to Mark Martin (16-5) at 197 lbs., before Billy Miller ended the night with an impressive showing in his match with Nick Tavanello at heavyweight. Following a scoreless first period, Tomasello took a 1-0 lead with an escape, but a Miller takedown made it 2-1 heading into the final two minutes. The redshirt freshman opened the third period with an escape, and tacked on an escape for a 5-1 decision. Miller is now 25-8 while Tavanello fell to 16-4.

Edinboro will now look to win its third straight Eastern Wrestling League championship, competing in the EWL Championships at Lock Haven on Saturday, March 5.
  
125 -- #1 Nathan Tomasello (OSU) fall over Sean Russell (EU) 4:00   
133 – Anthony Rivera (EU) dec. Mike Manuche (OSU) 6-0
141 – #4 Micah Jordan (OSU) maj. dec. Tyler Vath (EU) 22-9
149 -- #18 Patricio Lugo (EU) dec. Cody Burcher (OSU) 2-1
157 -- #10 Jake Ryan (OSU) dec. #16 Austin Matthews (EU) 4-3
165 -- #3 Bo Jordan (OSU) fall over Casey Fuller (EU) 3:34
174 – #14 Myles Martin (OSU) maj. dec. Patrick Jennings (EU) 13-4
184 -- #5 Vic Avery (EU) maj. dec. Domenic Prezzia (OSU) 19-7
197 – Mark Martin (OSU) dec. Vince Pickett (EU) 2-1
285 – Billy Miller (EU) dec. Nick Tavanello (OSU) 5-1
 
Records: Edinboro  8-11; Ohio State 11-3