Setting the Stage

As the Lock Haven University women’s wrestling team rounds into end of season form, they have a busy week to put the final touches on what has been a brilliant first regular season. On Wednesday the Bald Eagles will travel to Elmira, New York and do battle with the Elmira Soaring Eagles.

On Sunday, Lock Haven will return home to face Hiram College for the first time and battle East Stroudsburg in a long-due rematch.

Opponent History

Although Lock Haven and Elmira have never faced each other in dual meet action, they have seen their fair share of common foes. Lock Haven is 4-1 against common opponents whereas Elmira is 2-4.

The two squads did see each other at the ESU Open, back in November, when Lock Haven placed fourth as a team and Elmira finished ninth. At 116 and 155, Carly Gross and Jessica Johnson both saw Elmira wrestlers, and each came away with tech fall wins respectively.

In similar nature, Lock Haven and Hiram have also yet to face each other. The Terriers are winless to this point in their first full-season of competition, but have faced a number of ranked opponents.

The rematch with East Stroudsburg on Sunday is perhaps the dual of the week. After falling to East Stroudsburg in the first dual of the season, 24-23, Lock Haven has surged to four-straight. This week’s match may just be the spark to light a long-time rivalry between the two growing programs.

What to Watch For

Jessica Johnson (155) and Madison Packer (109) look to keep their undefeated seasons alive this week. Johnson fell out of the rankings this month despite her 9-0 start to the year, behind four pins and several ranked matches. Packer will look to improve on her 6-0 start to the year, which has all come in dual-meet action.

Madison Matta moved to 9-1 the last time out. She leads the team with seven pins and is vying for a position in the national rankings. With a few more wins she may get more looks on the national stage.

At 8-1, Alayna Gil has quietly had an impressive season to this point. She will vie for a few wins and improve her position at the regional level.

At 130, East Stroudsburg Mia Macaluso is ranked No. 7 in the latest NWCA Individual Rankings. She did not wrestle versus Lock Haven the last time out, so she will be a new opponent for head coach Ronnie Perry and company.

Lock Haven Probable Lineup:

101: FF

109: Fr. Madison Packer (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) 6-0

// or 109 – Fr. Alayna Gil (Gallitzin, Pa./Penn Cambria) 8-1

116: Fr. Carly Gross (York, Pa./West York) 4-3

123: Fr. Mackenzie DelVecchio (Fogelsville, Pa./Parkland) 5-3

130: Fr. Lillian Sherer (Shohola, Pa./Delaware Valley) 7-3

136: Fr. Madison Matta (Blue Ridge, Pa./Waynesboro) 9-1

143: FF

155: Fr. Jessica Johnson (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) 9-0

170: FF

191: Fr. Lacey Hums (Branchville, N.J./High Point) 5-5

The Road Ahead

Lock Haven will prepare for the NCWWC Northeast Regional Championships on Sunday, February 20, hosted by Gannon University. From there the Bald Eagles hope to land at the National Championships in Adrian, Michigan on March 4 and 5 to represent Lock Haven University on the National Stage.