GLENVILLE, W. Va. – For the second consecutive season, the Frostburg State men's wrestling finished third overall at the Mountain East Conference Wrestling Championships.
In his first year in a Bobcat uniform, freshman Tanner Halling impressed again by winning the 133-lb title, reaffirming his recent No. 1 national ranking. He would work quickly in his opening round, winning by tech fall 17-2 before securing another in the semifinals at 21-2. In the championship bout, he would face the three seed from West Liberty, James Armstrong, in a rematch from the team's dual just two weeks ago. Halling would jump ahead early in the match, going up 6-1 after two takedowns in the first period. Early in the third, things would be tied at 8-8 before the Rohrersville native earned a reversal, eventually leading to a 10-9 decision and the MEC Championship.
FSU had another tile bout participant, as junior Gage Heilbrun made a run to second place at 149. He took his opening bout in relative ease with a 12-2 major decision, then advanced to the championship with an 8-2 decision in the semifinals. In another rematch from the Bobcat-Hilltopper dual, Heilbrun would face Anthony Wood for the title. Reversing his fortunes from a fortnight ago, Wood avenged his major decision loss by getting a takedown and a pinfall in the first period, sending Heilbrun to a runner-up finish.
Frostburg also picked up a pair of third place finishers in sophomore Amir Wray-Hill and graduate Alex Blake at 125 and 157, respectively. Wray-Hill was seeded fourth in the 125 bracket, as he won by a 9-3 decision to get into the semifinals. He faced a tough test in taking on nationally-ranked No. 9 Colton Drousias from Glenville, who earned a 15-5 major decision. Wray-Hill would bounce back in the consolation bracket, winning 10-3 to have a chance to wrestle for third place. Taking on the three seed from Fairmont State, he was able to eke out a 4-3 decision to earn a spot on the podium.
Blake entered the day as the third seed at 157, receiving a bye into the semifinals. Taking on the two seed from GSU, he led 2-1 after an escape to start the third period, however a late take down and nearfall would send him to the consolation bracket with an 8-1 decision loss. Competing against the four seed from Davis & Elkins, he earned a last-second takedown in the third period to send the match into overtime, where he earned sudden victory for the 7-4 comeback. Blake gave himself an easier task in the third-place bout, earning an early takedown followed by a pair of reversals, surviving another nearfall to take his second consecutive 7-4 decision.
Frostburg finished with a team score of 107.5 total points behind Glenville in second at 139.5 and Fairmont in fourth at 87.5. Overall, the Bobcats had 19 individual wins and four student athletes earning All-MEC honors.
The Bobcats return to action on Friday, February 6 when they travel to face Pitt-Johnstown at 7 p.m. For more information, please visit frostburgsports.com.
Team Scores
1. West Liberty - 150.0
2. Glenville State - 137.5
3. Frostburg State - 107.5
4. Fairmont State - 87.5
5. Wheeling - 75.0
6. Salem - 57.0
7. Davis & Elkins - 22.5
7. Point Park - 22.5
