ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE WRESTLING
Friday, January 23, 1998

MESSIAH HANGS ON TO EDGE ELIZABETHTOWN WRESTLERS, 20-18, IN BATTLE OF NATIONALLY-RANKED TEAMS

GRANTHAM, Pa. --- Messiah built an early advantage and held off an Elizabethtown rally to capture a 20-18 decision in a battle of nationally-ranked Middle Atlantic Conference wrestling rivals on Friday. The Blue Jays entered the match ranked 21st nationally in the latest Adidas-Brute Division III poll while the Falcons were ranked 23rd.

Wins in four of the evening's first five bouts - including major decisions by Ryan Falk at 118 and Kirby Martin at 134 - staked Messiah to a 14-6 lead. After Etown's Dan Bechtold decisioned Randy Pickett at 158, the Falcons captured the 167-pound bout by forfeit for a 20-9 advantage.

Eric Dusko (177), Art Mattes (190) and Tim Jordan (Hwt.) captured decisions in the night's final three bouts for the Blue Jays, but it wasn't enough to close the gap.

The loss dropped Etown's dual match record to 12-6 on the season. The Jays next hit the mat on Wednesday, January 28 at home against Western Maryland and York. Action begins at 6:30 p.m.

(23) Messiah 20, (21) Etown 18
118: Ryan Falk (M) maj. dec. Bill VanWinkle (E), 12-2.
126: Mike King (E) wins by forfeit.
134: Kirby Martin (M) maj. dec. Rick Buchwald (E), 12-0.
142: Mike Gaugler (M) dec. Bob Onorato (E), 2-0.
150: Mike Helm (M) dec. Jason Aurand (E), 10-6.
158: Dan Bechtold (E) dec. Randy Pickett (M), 6-2.
167: Chris Roggie (M) wins by forfeit.
177: Eric Dusko (E) dec. Adam Musser (M), 11-4.
190: Art Mattes (E) dec. Tim Easter (M), 5-2.
Hwt: Tim Jordan (E) dec. Josh Graeber (M), 8-5.
Etown Dual Record: 12-6.