Wrestling season started on Saturday (Nov. 2) for Ashland University. If every weekend goes as well as this one, there will be few complaints coming from the office of head coach Josh Hutchens.
The Eagles competed in the Baldwin-Wallace Invitational and won four weight classes. Michael Labry, an All-American as a freshman a year ago, finished first at 133 pounds. In the title bout, he won by major decision (12-1) over Indiana Tech's Mitchell Pawlak.
At 149 pounds, Brent Fickel took top honors. In the championship match, Fickel pinned his teammate, J.J. Diven in 3:33.
Joe Brandt, a two-time All-American, got his season underway with a tournament championship at 197 pounds. Brandt pinned Lane Louive of Baldwin-Wallace in 2:14 in the championship match.
At 285 pounds, Tyler Houska won by fall over Logan Rimmer in the final match of the day. Rimmer was unattached. Houska prevailed in 2:38. A year ago, Houska was playing football at this point in the season.
The Eagles got second place finishes from Dan McNulty at 141, Nick Mason at 157 and Brenden Stanley at 165.
Next Saturday (Nov. 9) the Eagles compete at the Mercyhurst Invite.
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