Setting the Stage:

Before turning their eyes to the postseason, head coach Scott Moore and the Lock Haven University Division I men’s wrestling team will cap the season with a pair of home duals. First on Thursday (Feb. 16), The Haven looks to repeat as regular season Mid-American Conference (MAC) Eastern Division Dual Champions when they host Edinboro at 7 p.m. The Bald Eagles then close the dual slate on Sunday (Feb. 19) with a Senior Day “Black Out” against West Virginia at 12 p.m.

Lock Haven in the Rankings: 

National: NCAA (2/10/23)

125: #11 Anthony Noto

133: #31 Gable Strickland

165: #32 Avery Bassett

285: #33 Isaac Reid

InterMat: (2/14/23)

125: #11 Anthony Noto

133: #31 Gable Strickland

165: #32 Avery Bassett

285: #32 Isaac Reid

Last Time Out:

On Saturday (Feb. 11), The Haven rolled to a pair of road victories over George Mason and American University. In the day's opening dual against George Mason, the Bald Eagles fell behind early 12-3, but responded in emphatic fashion to win five of the final six bouts and grab the 24-15 MAC East win. The Haven then capped their afternoon with a dominant 24-9 win over American. LHU rolled out to a 12-0 lead in the opening four matches and never looked back, winning eight of ten bouts.

Opponent History:

Thursday’s showdown with MAC opponent and longtime rival Edinboro will mark the 56th all-time meeting between the two. LHU holds a 35-20 lead in the storied history, and most recently, a 24-16 road win for the Bald Eagles capped the 2022 season for Lock Haven. A win for The Haven over the Fighting Scots this year will bring the regular season MAC East Dual Championship home to Mat Town U.S.A. for the second straight season.

Sunday’s regular-season finale against West Virginia will be the 37th time the two have met and the Mountaineers hold a 21-15 edge in the all-time results. The two sides last met back in 2016 where the Mountaineers came out on top.

Projected Lineup:

Edinboro & West Virginia | February 16 & 19

125: #11 R-So. Anthony Noto (Lima, N.Y./Honeoye Falls-Lima (NC State)) 24-2

133: #31 So. Gable Strickland (Benton, Pa./Benton) 25-9

141: R-Jr. Zack Zeamer (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central (Oklahoma)) 12-13

// or 141 – Fr. Sean Logue (Philadelphia/Father Judge) 11-4

149: So. Nick Stonecheck (Alpharetta, Ga./Buford High School) 23-9

157: R-Sr. Ashton Eyler (Millersburg, Ohio/ Claymont High (Iowa Central CC)) 26-10

// or 157 – R-So. Billy Talmadge (Branchville, N.J./High Point) 11-12

165: #32 So. Avery Bassett (Middleburg, Pa./Midd-West (George Mason)) 17-4

174: So. Tyler Stoltzfus (Mifflinburg, Pa./Saint Joseph's Academy) 29-10

184: R-Jr. Colin Fegley (Mahanoy, Pa./Mahanoy) 14-13

197: Fr. Cael Black (Warren, Pa./Eisenhower) 3-11

// or 197 – Fr. John Miller (Reading, Pa./Exeter) 7-4

285: #33 R-Jr. Isaac Reid (Saltsburg, Pa./Kiski) 11-2

// or 285 – Fr. Ethan Miller (York, Pa./Central York) 8-18

The Road Ahead:

After a busy end to the regular season, the Bald Eagles set their sights on defending their 2022 MAC Tournament Championship at the 2023 edition on March 3 & 4. George Mason University will host the championships at the Eagle Bank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia.