The LHU wrestling team is set to host former Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) foe West Virginia on Friday (Dec. 19) night at 7 p.m. in a non-conference dual.
 
Setting the stage:
The Bald Eagles enter the dual at 2-4 overall, while the Mountaineers, now members of the Big 12 Conference are 0-4 in dual action.
 
Lock Haven hasn't competed since December 6, when the Bald Eagles took second at the PSAC Championships. The second-place finish marked Lock Haven's highest since taking second in 2003-04. LHU's last dual was on November 21 - a lopsided 46-3 win over Division II Shippensburg.
 
West Virginia last competed on December 6 at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, finishing 16^th. WVU's lineup features four nationally ranked wrestlers (125, 141, 184 & 197), but the Mountaineers have dual losses to Arizona State, Northern Illinois, Rutgers and Cornell entering Friday's action.
 
Lock Haven news, notes & storylines:

• LHU enters Friday's dual with a 2-4 overall record (0-0 EWL).
• LHU is 1-0 at home with a win over Shippensburg on Nov. 21.
• Three Bald Eagles are nationally ranked entering Friday's match with WVU.
• Last season (Jan. 4, 2014), LHU lost 18-12 to WVU in Morgantown.
• LHU trails in the all-time series with WVU, 15-21.
• LHU's 19-15 win in 2013 snapped a seven-match losing streak.

 
Lock Haven's Probable Lineup:
Bald Eagles 2-4
125: R-So. Kaleb LeMaire (Rehoboth Beach, Del./Caesar Rodney) 11-9
133: #32 So. Ronnie Perry (Christiana, Pa./Solanco) 12-4
141: R-Jr. Bobby Rehm (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor) 10-7
149: #32 R-Jr. Dan Neff (Quarryville, Pa./Solanco)  12-6
157: R-Sr. Elias Biddle (Turbotville, Pa./Warrior Run) 12-5
165: R-Jr. Aaron McKinney (McDonald, Pa./West Allegheny) 11-6
174: R-So. Tyler Wood (West Chester, Pa./West Chester – Rustin) 11-9
184: #26 R-Sr. Fred Garcia (Donora, Pa./Ringgold) 15-2
197: So. Adam Mackie (Bechtelsville, Pa./Brandywine Heights) 8-6
- OR – So. Blaze Buckwalter (McElhattan, Pa./Central Mountain) 1-2
285: So. Brad Emerick (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Coughlin) 8-8
 
West Virginia's Probable Lineup:
Mountaineers 0-4
125: #18 Fr. Zeke Moisey (Northampton, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic) 17-8
133: So. Cory Stainbrook (Streetsboro, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) 8-9
141: #11 Sr. Michael Morales (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) 18-6
149: R-So. James Dekrone (Northport, N.Y./Nassau C.C.) 9-10
157: Jr. Tim Wheeling (Erie, Pa./General Maclane) 5-10
165: Jr. Ross Renzi (Burke, Va./Lake Braddock) 4-7
174: Jr. Christian Chirico (Palmyra, Va./Fluranna County) 1-6
184: #28 Jr. Bubba Scheffel (Oakland, Md./Southern Garrett) 12-7
197: #32 So. Jake A. Smith (Charleston, W.Va./George Washington) 12-6
285: Jr. A.J. Vizcarrondo (Philadelphia, Pa./Wyoming Seminary College Prep) 6-9
 
*lineups are tentative and subject to change
 
Elementary Duals Showcase:
Prior to Friday's match, the Bald Eagles will play host the 2014 LHU Elementary Duals Showcase, which will feature exhibition-duals between a number of local elementary wrestling teams. Jersey Shore, Central Mountain, Bald Eagle and Bellefonte Elementary programs will all be on hand for the showcase/exhibition matches. The matches, wrestled on two mats will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
 
Bear Country Christmas Wish:
The LHU Department of Athletics is getting into the holiday spirt this week by assisting the "Bear Country Christmas Wish" program.
 
Each year, Bear Country Radio (WQBR 99.9FM), a local radio station and the official radio partner of LHU Athletics, sponsors the "Bear Country Christmas Wish" program. Now in its 22nd year, the program helps local families in need. Bear Country solicits letters from area families looking for toys, clothes and food during the holiday season.
 
This year there is a strong need and LHU Athletic is more than happy to help by accepting toys, clothes and food at this Friday's (December 19) home wrestling match, and at Saturday's (December 20) men's and women's basketball doubleheader. The collected goods will benefit local families in Clinton, Centre and Lycoming counties.
 
Bald Eagles nationally ranked this week:
 
WrestlingRepot.com Rankings (Dec. 16)
133: #32 Ronnie Perry
149: #32 Dan Neff
184: #26 Fred Garcia
 
Last time out (Dec. 6, 2014): FULL RECAP
LHU finished second overall at the 2014 PSAC Championships, marking the Bald Eagles best PSAC tournament finish in 11 years.
 
The Bald Eagles were led by Ronnie Perry, Bobby Rehm, Aaron McKinney and Fred Garcia, who all took second for LHU. Dan Neff placed third for Lock Haven.
 
Kaleb LeMaire, Elias Biddle, Tyler Wood and Adam Mackie all finished fourth for LHU. Brad Emerick made LHU a perfect 10-for-10 in placewinners, taking fifth overall.

Last time in dual action (Nov. 21, 2014): FULL RECAP
Competing in front of the home crowd for the first time this season, the Bald Eagles won nine bouts, picking up bonus points in eight of them on the way to a 46-3 win over Shippensburg.
 
Much to the delight of a large crowd, Lock Haven recorded five tech falls and two pins, overwhelming the visiting Red Raiders, who only won at 141. On the night, Lock Haven held a 30-5 advantage in takedowns, as the Bald Eagles took control early and often.
 
Dillon Gavlock and Tyler Wood highlighted the victory with back-to-back pins at 165 and 174.

Last time vs. West Virginia (Jan. 4, 2014): FULL RECAP
LHU picked up four wins, including a pair of upsets, but the Bald Eagles fell to host, 18-12 in non-conference action. Kaleb LeMaire, Cody Wheeler, Jake Kemerer and Fred Garcia all picked up wins for Lock Haven on the night, including upsets from Wheeler and Kemerer.

Up next:
The Bald Eagles will return to the mats on Monday, December 29 when Lock Haven hosts the 2014 First Citizens Community Bank LHU Invitational. Tournament Central – Click Here

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