Leise wins the award in back-to-back weeks thanks to displaying patience against Mercyhurst’s Hunter Harnish on Wednesday, Jan. 19, earning a second-period fall in 4:14 to propel the No. 6 Golden Knights in front of the Lakers in the team score, giving Gannon its third lead of the night at 19-17. The Knights won the dual 25-17 in the battle of nationally-ranked teams.
Leise, ranked third in Division II at 197 lbs., added his fifth fall of the year at 1:15 over Matt Richardson in the dual against East Stroudsburg on Sunday, Jan. 23. Joel is now 7-0 after recording an early takedown and locking in a cradle for the pin.