Redshirt sophomore Thad Frick's takedown with three seconds left gave him a 7-6 decision at 157 pounds.
EAST STROUDSBURG – Redshirt sophomore Andrew Arnold had a second-period pin at 133 and redshirt senior Shane Mallory posted a 13-2 major decision at 184 to lead East Stroudsburg University to a 19-15 dual victory over Wilkes on Tuesday night at Koehler Fieldhouse.
Both schools won five bouts, but the Warriors’ two victories by bonus points – Arnold’s fifth pin of the year and Mallory’s fourth major decision, both team-highs – gave them the win over the No. 15-ranked team in Division III. ESU improves to 4-3 on the season with its fourth straight win, while Wilkes falls to 10-2.
Wilkes’ Scott Mantua had a 5-3 decision over redshirt junior David Luthy in the night’s first match at 125 before Arnold decked A.J. Fisher in 3:51 to give the Warriors the lead for good in the following bout. Arnold evened his record at 10-10, a mark that includes five pins, two technical falls and a major decision.
ESU took control with three wins in the next four matches to build a 15-6 lead. Redshirt sophomore Adam Hluschak posted a 7-1 decision at 141 and redshirt junior Jeff Jacobs earned a 4-2 decision at 165 following a 7-6 decision by redshirt sophomore Thad Frick over James Histead at 157. Both wrestlers were hit with stalling calls in the final minute to tie the score at 5-5 before Frick recorded a takedown at the edge of the mat with three seconds remaining. Histead picked up the quick escape after the restart.
Wilkes closed the night with decisions from three nationally-ranked wrestlers in the final four weight classes, but Mallory’s major decision at 184 provided a 19-9 cushion for the Warriors going into the final two bouts. Mallory improves to 13-5 on the season, including a third-place finish at last week’s Wilkes Open, and is 5-1 in duals.
No. 10 Frank Heffernan topped redshirt sophomore Ken Monarque, 4-1, at 174 and No. 9 Zach Pizarro edged junior Ed Ebewo, 9-8, at 197 in a match that ended with Ebewo scoring a reversal and back points as time expired. No. 8 Andrew Feldman remained undefeated on the season at 13-0 with an 11-4 decision over ESU freshman Will Weaver.
ESU is back in action next Tuesday night with a 7 p.m. start at Shippensburg, and hosts Navy the following Friday (January 15) at 7 p.m. at Koehler Fieldhouse.
ESU 19, Wilkes 15
125 - Scott Mantua (W) dec. David Luthy, 5-3; Wilkes 3-0
133 - Andrew Arnold (ESU) pinned A.J. Fisher, 3:51; ESU 6-3
141 - Adam Hluschak (ESU) dec. Kris Krawchuk, 7-1; ESU 9-3
149 - Anthony Dattollo (W) dec. Eddie Stephenson, 7-1; ESU 9-6
157 - Thad Frick (ESU) dec. James Histead, 7-6; ESU 12-6
165 - Jeff Jacobs (ESU) dec. Dustin Stough, 4-2; ESU 15-6
174 - Frank Heffernan (W) dec. Ken Monarque, 4-1; ESU 15-9
184 - Shane Mallory (ESU) maj. dec. Jesse Villella, 13-2; ESU 19-9
197 - Zach Pizarro (W) dec. Ed Ebewo, 9-8; ESU 19-12
285 - Andrew Feldman (W) dec. Will Weaver, 11-4; ESU 19-15