ERIE, Pa. - The 14th-ranked Gannon wrestling team earned its fifth dual victory of the season Thursday night at the Hammermill Center over local rival Mercyhurst. Senior Zack McKendree (Vandergrift, Pa. / Southside Beaver) became the fifth wrestler in Gannon history to reach the 100-win mark with a major decision (12-3) in the 165-pound bout.
It marks the Golden Knights' second straight victory in the battle for the Oar, defeating the Lakers 31-14 last season.
Gannon racked up three major decisions and won six straight bouts during the match to lead 27-3. The Lakers earned pins in the final two bouts to put the final score at 27-15.
Gannon started the night with a victory from Jose Matos (Williamstown, N.J. / St. Augustine College Preparatory School) over Ryan Bohince in the 125-pound bout. Matos trailed 4-3 heading into the final period, but earned an escape and a takedown to win 6-4.
No. 8 #A.J. Milanak# (Apollo, Pa. / Kiski Area) earned Gannon's second win of the evening with a 10-4 decision over Nick Hannon. The redshirt senior earned eight points on four takedowns and is now 8-4 this season.
Ethan Swope (Luthersburg, Pa. / DuBois Area) extended Gannon's lead with a 15-4 major decision in the 149-pound match. Mercyhurst forfeited the 157-pound bout, before McKendree followed with a 12-3 victory. McKendree owns a team-high seven major decisions this season and is just eight wins shy of breaking Gannon's all-time wins mark held by Todd Proper (107). Swope is now 19-8 overall with a 6-1 record in dual meets. McKendree earned his 24th win of the season while remaining a perfect 7-0 in dual meets.
No. 2 Tony Petrella (Reynoldsburg, Ohio / Bishop Hartley) earned the third major decision of the night with a 13-5 win over Eric Lundgren at 174 pounds. The redshirt senior racked up five takedowns and two back points in the win.
Chris Boyd (Chase City, Va. / Randolph Henry) earned Gannon's final win after jumping out to a 6-2 lead in the first period. Boyd earned the win in the 184-pound bout by an 8-5 final.
Mercyhurst earned pins in the final two bouts of the night to finish the scoring at 27-15.
Gannon improved to 5-1-1 this season and will face Kutztown Saturday, January 29 in the Hammermill at 1 p.m. Mercyhurst fell to 8-7 on the year.
For complete results from tonight's Gannon-Mercyhurst wrestling match, please click here.
