ALLIANCE, Ohio – Winning a milestone match on the road presented a unique problem for Lycoming wrestling head coach Roger Crebs on Saturday, Nov. 20, after his Warriors split a quartet of matches at the Mount Union Duals.
“A lot of alumni have already called,” he said. “I just hope my phone doesn’t die before I get home.”
There were 300 reasons to call Crebs, as the 18th-year head coach led the Warriors to a 25-17 win over Baldwin-Wallace and a 35-9 win over Mt. St. Joseph to reach the milestone win. The Warriors also fell to No. 29 Mount Union, 26-12, and No. 19 Ohio Northern, 25-9, to finish the duals with a 5-5 overall record.
“The kids were pumped about it,” Crebs said of his 300th win, “but it hasn’t really set in yet. I’m just looking forward to the next win and get ready to go after the break. A lot of kids have gone through the doors here and they are more their wins than mine.”
Against Baldwin-Wallace, a pair of forfeits helped Lycoming clinch the match at 184 and 197 pounds. Junior Stephen Hinton (Montclair, Pa./Forest Park) posted a 3-2 decision at 125 pounds over Jeremy Dombrady before Baldwin-Wallace to a 7-3 lead with wins at 133 and 141 points. However, senior Isaiah Britton (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock Township) posted a 13-2 major decision against Daniel Huffman to tie the match and freshman Greg Wetzel got the Warriors six points with a pin of Tim Hamm at 157 pounds in the second period to give the Warriors a 13-7 lead. Baldwin-Wallace won the next two matches to take a 14-13 lead, but the defaults at 184 and 197 pounds clinched the win for the Warriors.
In the final match of the evening, Crebs won his 300th match over Mt. St. Joseph, 32-9, as the Warriors rolled out to a 16-3 lead and never looked back. Hinton posted a win by default at 125 pounds and at 141 pounds, senior Mike Maurer (Towanda, Pa./Towanda Area) posted a pin at the 3:32 mark of the second period against Cody Fellers and Britton added an 11-2 major decision against Conrad at 149 points. After a loss at 157 pounds, sophomore Dave Smith (Ambler, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) posted a 5-2 win over Cory Disbennett at 165 and sophomore Jeff Thomas (Curwensville, Pa./Curwensville Area) posted a pin in the third period against Justin Meineke to give the Warriors a 25-6 lead, putting the match out of reach.
Senior Troy Hayre (McLean, Va./McLean), who led the Warriors with a perfect 4-0 day at 184 pounds, followed with an 11-2 major decision against C.J. Rivera and senior Kyle Crouthamel (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) posted a pin in 2:25 against Nathan Islamovsky at 197 to round out the Warriors’ scoring in the 35-9 win.
Against No. 29, Mt. Union, Britton posted an 8-5 win over Kody Severino at 149 pounds, Smith won by default at 165 and Hayre added a 6-3 win at 184 pounds over Andy Jenkins.
Against No. 19 Ohio Northern, Maurer, in his first action of the year on Saturday, posted a 7-4 decision against Brett Kramp at 141 pounds, Hayre posted a 9-2 decision at 184 pounds against Kyle Raber and junior Russ Korbul (Asbury, N.J./Northampton C.C.) added a 3-2 win over Matt Alexander at 197 pounds.
The Warriors get back on the mats on Friday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. with the start of the Messiah Tournament.
