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No. 4 Pitt-Johnstown Claim 5th Straight PSAC Dual Title With 21-10 Win Over No. 21 Gannon

Saturday, February 15, 2020 10:20 PM

Courtesy of Pitt-Johnstown Sports Info

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. --- No. 4 Pitt-Johnstown wrestling program recognized its five seniors, then went out won its fifth consecutive PSAC Dual Meet with a 21-10 victory over 21st-ranked Gannon, Saturday night in the Sports Center.  Senior two-time National Champion Chris Eddins became the 25th Mountain Cat to reach 100 career wins and help Pitt-Johnstown close out the regular season at 21-3 overall and a perfect 7-0 in the PSAC.
 
Prior to the match, Pitt-Johnstown recognized this year's seniors…Brendan Howard (125 lbs.), Chris Eddins (149 lbs.), Devin Austin (165 lbs.), Mike Geyer (197 lbs.), and Tyler Oliver (197 lbs.).
 
At 125 lbs., fourth-ranked Howard got a second period escape and a point for riding time to defeat 2019 National Qualifier Jacob Dunlap, 2-0, before 2019 National Champion Tyler Warner returned to the Mountain Cat lineup and held off National Qualifier Austin Hertel, 1-0, at 133 lbs. to give Pitt-Johnstown a 6-0 advantage.
 
Pitt-Johnstown kept it going when Jacob Ealy dealt Nick Young a 7-5 loss in a match between two of the top-four wrestlers in the region, and top-ranked and Eddins picked-up his 100^th career victory by shutting out 12th-ranked Dom Means at 149 lbs.
 
Gannon got back in it with wins at 157 and 165 lbs.  A 14-3 major decision by Evan Fisler over Jacob Burgette at 157 lbs., got the Golden Knights on the scoreboard, and eight-ranked Alex Farenchak scored a 4-1 win over No. 4 Austin at 165 lbs. to cut the deficit to 12-7.
 
However, Pitt-Johnstown answered with a 6-1 win by No. 6 Brock Biddle at 174 lbs. and 2019 National Champion and fifth-ranked Connor Craig's 5-2 decision over Joel Leise at 184 lbs. to extend the lead out to 18-7 with two bouts remaining.

At 197 lbs., fifth-ranked Freddie Nixon defeated Alex Delp to narrow Gannon's game to 18-10, but it was not enough.
 
At 285 lbs., Pitt-Johnstown's Allan Beattie won a 6-0 decision over Gehrig Hutchison, 6-0, to close out the Mountain Cats' fifth straight PSAC title.
 
With the loss, Gannon slipped to 8-6 overall and 5-2 in the PSAC.
 
Pitt-Johnstown travels to the 2020 Super Region I Tournament at Mercyhurst on February 29 and to the 2020 NCAA Division II National Championships in Sioux Falls, SD on March 13 and 14.