The Berg Sits Atop OAC Alone
Alliance, Ohio – January 12, 2010 – Heidelberg University posted victories in the first three bouts en route to a 23-13 win over Mount Union College in an Ohio Athletic Conference dual at The McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex in Alliance, Ohio.
The dual was a battle of national powers and Ohio Athletic Conference leaders. Heidelberg entered the night ranked 23rd in the nation according to the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) and the Purple Raiders stood 26th.
The win marked the 18th-straight OAC dual victory for the Berg who improves to 3-0 in the OAC and sit alone atop the league standings. Overall Heidelberg evens its dual mark to 6-6. Mount Union falls to 5-3 overall and stand at 2-1 in the OAC.
Starting things off on a positive note was newcomer Delian Schneider (Tiffin, Ohio / Columbian) with a 7-5 decision at 125 pounds. Junior Tony Lawler (West Jefferson, Ohio / West Jefferson) followed with a major decision, 8-0, at 133 pounds.
Sophomore Sam Delpra (Chesterland, Ohio / West Geauga) made it three wins in a row to start the dual with a takedown in overtime to earn a 5-3 decision in the 141 pound weight class.
At 149 pounds, Mount Union’s Richie Clark put a halt to Heidelberg’s winning streak with a 6-4 decision and put the Purple Raiders in the scoring column.
Zach Mizer (Canton, Ohio / Perry), ranked fourth in the nation at 157 pounds, took control early and picked up Heidelberg’s second major decision on the evening, winning 13-1.
Building a second streak for the Berg was junior Matt Curley (Brecksville, Ohio / Lakewood). Curley was victorious in the 165 pound weight class by way of a 9-7 decision. Senior Dan Jonhenry (Berea, Ohio / Berea) made it another three-bout winning streak following a 7-6 decision at 174 pounds.
Mount Union rattled off 10 points from victories in the 184 and 197 pound weight classes, but sophomore Jerry Knapp (Olmsted Falls, Ohio / Olmsted Falls) sent Heidelberg out on top with a 6-5 decision at 285 pounds.
#23 Heidelberg University 23, #26 Mount Union College 13
125: Delian Schneider (HU) dec. Riki Reynolds (MTU), 7-5
133: Tony Lawler (HU) maj. dec. TJ Arnone (MTU), 8-0
141: Sam Delpra (HU) dec. Josh Malave (MTU), 5-3 OT
149: Richie Clark (MTU) dec. Andrew Johnson (HU), 6-4
157: No. 4 Zach Mizer (HU) maj. dec. Bryan Skoff (MTU), 13-1
165: Matt Curley (HU) dec. John Piechuta (MTU), 9-7
174: Dan Jonhenry (HU) dec. Mike Manypenny (MTU), 7-6
184: Andy Jenkins (MTU) fall Dayne Williams (HU), 1:29
197: No. 8 Bill Schindel (MTU) maj. dec. Brad Rice (HU), 14-4
285: Jerry Knapp (HU) dec. Derrick Hesson (MTU), 6-5