Forfeits cost Jays in loss at No. 21 York

Wyatt Eaton

Wrestling | 2/16/2016 9:48:00 PM

YORK, Pa. – Elizabethtown College wrestlers grabbed five wins against No. 21 York (Pa.) Tuesday night, but 12 forfeit points at 157 and 165 pounds turned the match in the Spartans' favor and they defeated the Blue Jays 26-16.

The Jays (6-8) got decisions from Philip Torresani (125), Mike Lammer (141) and Chad Lammer (149) to build a 9-4 lead heading into the 157 lb. weight class. The Spartans were held to just one win over the first four bouts, that coming via major decision from 2015 national qualifier Ryan Flynn.

Elizabethtown was unable to enter anyone at 157 or 165 for the second consecutive match as sophomore 157-pounder Chris Kummerer remained sidelined. York (14-8) used the 12 points to go up 16-9 and increaesd its lead to 20-9 on Joe Sindoni's major decision at 174 before Rocco Hladney and Luke Fernandez pulled the Blue and Gray back within four.

Hladney and Fernandez continued to match each other win-for-win. Both Blue Jays earned their team co-leading 23rd victories of the season Tuesday night.

Hladney, coming off an impressive showing against Messiah's Josh Thomson last Friday, captured his ninth major decision of the season, 13-5, over Jesse Huber at 184. Fernandez followed with a 6-3 overtime win against John Shorter at 197.

Tuesday's result was still up in the air heading into the heavyweight match, but d3wrestle.com Contender Mike Spencer pinned Eric Eckstein in the first minute to lock up a 10-point victory for the hosts.

Torresani tied his freshman win total of 17 with a 3-1 decision over Lake Laughman at 125, while Mike Lammer prevailed in a battle of d3wrestle.com Honorable Mention picks, 8-3, over York's Greg Warner.

Chad Lammer tacked on another win to his season total with a 7-5 decision against Adam Kritzer at 149 and is now 21-10 on the season.

The Blue Jays now turn their attention to the upcoming NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championships Feb. 27-28 at Lycoming College. The top three finishers from all weight classes will advance to the NCAA Division III Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, March 11-12.

Elizabethtown at #21 York (Pa.) Tuesday, February 16, 2016 • York, Pa. (Wolf Gymnasium)
Wt.		EC	YCP
125	Philip Torresani (EC) dec. Lake Laughman (YCP), 3-1	3	0
133	#NR/CT Ryan Flynn (YCP) maj. dec. Tim Miranda (EC), 14-0	3	4
141	#NR/HM Mike Lammer (EC) dec. #NR/HM Greg Warner (YCP), 8-3	6	4
149	Chad Lammer (EC) dec. Adam Kritzer (YCP), 7-5	9	4
157	Cory Rank (YCP) won by forfeit	9	10
165	Frankie Krauss (YCP) won by forfeit	9	16
174	Joe Sindoni (YCP) maj. dec. Quinn Ruble (EC), 10-1	9	20
184	#NR/HM Rocco Hladney (EC) maj. dec. Jesse Huber (YCP), 13-5	13	20
197	#NR/CT Luke Fernandez (EC) dec. John Shorter (YCP), 6-3 (SV2)	16	20
285	#NR/CT Mike Spencer (YCP) pinned Eric Eckstein (EC), 0:46	16	26
Exhibition
133	Evan Zuzulock (YCP) pinned Dan Smith (EC), 3:49
Rankings: NWCA / d3wrestle.com NR - Not ranked CT - Contender HM - Honorable Mention