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ASHLAND, Ohio - The No. 20 Gannon wrestling team rebounded from an opening-round loss to No. 5 St. Cloud State (Minn.) with two victories to finish 2-1 Sunday afternoon at the Mid-Atlantic Duals hosted by Ashland University. Meanwhile, 12 Gannon wrestlers competed at the Lake Erie Open with three placing among the top five in their respective weight class.

In the opener at the Mid-Atlantic Duals, Eric Lewandowski (Depew, N.Y./Lancaster Central) and Zack Zelcs (Ridgway, Pa./Ridgway) were the only Golden Knights able to pick up victories during a 32-6 loss against St. Cloud State. The Huskies are coming off an NCAA Division II Super Region Three Championship and a second-place finish at the NCAA Division II National Championships last season.

Following three consecutive decisions by St. Cloud State, Lewandowski earned Gannon's first win with a 5-4 decision against Josh Howk at 149. Zelcs, ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division II Super Region One and fifth nationally, posted a 2-1 victory against Dylon Braun at 184.

The Mid-Atlantic Duals generated match-ups in the consolation bracket by team request. Gannon was able to rebound with a 27-12 victory against Belmont Abbey during the second round. The Golden Knights opened the contest with six consecutive wins to produce a 22-0 lead, before coasting to the victory.

Matt Turek (Madison, Ohio/Madison), ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division II Super Region One, nipped Darick Mestrez 4-3 during the first match at 125. Adam Weinell (Blairsville, Pa./Blairsville), listed fourth in the regional rankings at 133, followed with a 16-0 technical fall of Mark Almeida for an 8-0 Gannon lead.

The lead ballooned to 16-0 after major decisions by Johnny Marotto (Verona, Pa./Plum) over Clemente Narviaz (17-4) and Lewandowski against Sean Webb (13-3). The opening run continued with Nate Ross' (Egg Harbor City, N.J./Absegami) 13-8 decision over Jake Glunt at 157 and Buddy Blotzer's (McKeesport, Pa./Serra Catholic) 10-9 win against Daniel Callahan at 165. Blotzer is ranked third in NCAA Division II Super Region One.

Belmont Abbey tried to rally with three victories during the final four bouts, but it wasn't enough. Zelcs' 16-5 technical fall of Jason Gulotta accounted for the Golden Knights' final win of the dual.

Gannon concluded the day with another convincing victory, coming by a 40-13 count against Tiffin. The final dual meet of the afternoon started much like the second. Gannon was victorious during the first four matches, getting all possible 24 points. Weinell and Marotto recorded pins at 133 and 141, respectively. Turek and Rocco Wellek (Fairview, Pa./Cathedral Prep) earned forfeit wins at 125 and 149.

Head coach Don Henry's club split the final six bouts, but produced 16 points during its final three wins. Zelcs finished a dominating day with a 9-0 major decision against Walid Boggio at 184. The redshirt junior had a technical fall, a major decision and a regular decision to account for his three victories. Forfeit wins by Blotzer at 165 and Gunner Loughman (Heath, Ohio/Heath) at 197 capped the scoring.

Gannon was competing in dual action for the first time this season, finishing with a 2-1 record. St. Cloud State won the Mid-Atlantic Duals championship with a perfect 3-0 mark while moving to 5-0 in dual competition this season. Belmont Abbey and Tiffin both dropped to 2-7 following their dual meets against the Golden Knights.

Meanwhile, three of Gannon's 12 wrestlers competing at the Lake Erie Open placed among the top five. No team scores were kept in the open format.

Garret Smith (Erie, Pa./Seneca) produced the squad's best run, advancing to the 149-pound title bout. The redshirt freshman won three straight decisions in the championship bracket against Lake Erie's Justin Smith (4-2), Notre Dame's Tyrone McGuinna (12-10) and Ohio State's Jacob Donatelli (11-5). Ranked fifth in NCAA Division II Super Region One, Smith faced his second consecutive NCAA Division I opponent in the title match where he fell against Purdue's Alex Griffin.

Aaron Smith (Conneaut Lake, Pa./Conneaut Lake) placed fourth at 133 with a 2-2 record. The junior followed an opening-round bye with a 13-8 decision against NCAA Division I wrestler Mike Hozan of Ohio State. Marty Carlson of Notre Dame (Ohio), ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II Region One and sixth nationally, then dropped Smith into the wrestlebacks after their semifinal result.

The Conneaut Lake, Pa., native advanced to the third-place match with another victory against an NCAA Division I wrestler. This time it was a 6-5 decision against Ohio State's Mike Manuche. Smith's run came to an end in the third-place bout with a loss to NCAA Division I Dan King of Cleveland State.

Gannon's final place winner came at 125 where Nate Reckner (Georgetown, Pa./South Side) finished fifth with a 2-2 mark against all NCAA Division I competition. Following two opening byes, Reckner advanced to the semifinals with a 19-9 major decision against Cleveland State's Jonathan Martin. Back-to-back losses against Purdue grapplers moved Reckner into the third-place match where he captured bronze with a victory against Indiana's Alonzo Shepherd.

Other wrestlers to compete at the Lake Erie Open included Paul Deitz (125, 1-2), Steve Michel (141, 1-2), Alex Shaffer (149, 0-2), Arlen Mase (149, 0-2), Jake Kondrlik (165, 0-2), Trevor Beiter (197, 0-2), Nigel Toussaint (197, 0-2), Jeff Miller (Hwt., 0-2) and Brad Beiter (Hwt., 2-2).

Gannon returns to action Friday, January 10 against Millersville at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. The dual meet is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opener was originally scheduled for Saturday, January 11 at the Hammermill Center, but was moved to Friday at the MAC due to a recent electrical fire.

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Storm Open Results for Gannon
Storm Open 125 - Nate Reckner's place is 5th and has scored 16.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Nate Reckner (Gannon) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Nate Reckner (Gannon) received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal - Nate Reckner (Gannon) won by major decision over Jonathan Martin (Cleveland State) (Maj 19-9)
Semifinal - Luke Schroeder (Purdue) won by decision over Nate Reckner (Gannon) (Dec 5-1)
Cons. Semi - Aaron Assad (Purdue) won by decision over Nate Reckner (Gannon) (Dec 7-0)
5th Place Match - Nate Reckner (Gannon) won by forfeit over Alonzo Shepherd (Indiana) (FF)

Storm Open 125 - Paul Deitz's place is unknown and has scored 4.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Paul Deitz (Gannon) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Paul Deitz (Gannon) won by decision over Bijan Banks (Edinboro) (Dec 14-13)
Quarterfinal - Alonzo Shepherd (Indiana) won by fall over Paul Deitz (Gannon) (Fall 2:18)
Cons. Round 4 - Aaron Assad (Purdue) won by decision over Paul Deitz (Gannon) (Dec 5-0)

Storm Open 133 - Aaron Smith's place is 4th and has scored 11.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Aaron Smith (Gannon) received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal - Aaron Smith (Gannon) won by decision over Mike Hozan (Ohio State) (Dec 13-8)
Semifinal - Marty Carlson (Notre Dame (Ohio)) won by fall over Aaron Smith (Gannon) (Fall 4:36)
Cons. Semi - Aaron Smith (Gannon) won by decision over Mike Manuche (Ohio State) (Dec 6-5)
3rd Place Match - Dan King (Cleveland State) won by major decision over Aaron Smith (Gannon) (Maj 12-3)

Storm Open 141 - Steve Michel's place is unknown and has scored 1.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Steve Michel (Gannon) won by decision over Sean Brown (Indiana) (Dec 10-4)
Quarterfinal - Mike Carlone (Cleveland State) won by decision over Steve Michel (Gannon) (Dec 8-7)
Cons. Round 2 - Lee Wilson (Notre Dame (Ohio)) won by decision over Steve Michel (Gannon) (Dec 1-0)

Storm Open 149 - Alex Shaffer's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Tucker Armstrong (Notre Dame (Ohio)) won by major decision over Alex Shaffer (Gannon) (Maj 8-0)
Cons. Round 1 - Alex Shaffer (Gannon) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Brandon Miller (Notre Dame (Ohio)) won by decision over Alex Shaffer (Gannon) (Dec 10-6)

Storm Open 149 - Arlen Mase's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Alex Griffin (Purdue) won by major decision over Arlen Mase (Gannon) (Maj 13-3)
Cons. Round 1 - Arlen Mase (Gannon) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Justin Smith (Lake Erie College) won by major decision over Arlen Mase (Gannon) (Maj 9-0)

Storm Open 149 - Garrett Smith's place is 2nd and has scored 16.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Garrett Smith (Gannon) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Garrett Smith (Gannon) won by decision over Justin Smith (Lake Erie College) (Dec 4-2)
Quarterfinal - Garrett Smith (Gannon) won by decision over Tyrone McGuinna (Notre Dame (Ohio)) (Dec 12-10)
Semifinal - Garrett Smith (Gannon) won by decision over Jacob Donatelli (Ohio State) (Dec 11-5)
1st Place Match - Alex Griffin (Purdue) won by tech fall over Garrett Smith (Gannon) (TF 15-0)

Storm Open 165 - Jake Kondrlik's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Louden Gorden (Notre Dame (Ohio)) won by major decision over Jake Kondrlik (Gannon) (Maj 17-7)
Cons. Round 1 - Jake Kondrlik (Gannon) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Ryan Therrian (Buffalo) won by decision over Jake Kondrlik (Gannon) (Dec 6-4)

Storm Open 197 - Trevor Beiter's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Joe Ariola (Buffalo) won by fall over Trevor Beiter (Gannon) (Fall 6:21)
Cons. Round 1 - Trevor Beiter (Gannon) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Cameron Atkins (Lake Erie College) won by decision over Trevor Beiter (Gannon) (Dec 11-4)

Storm Open 197 - Nigel Toussaint's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Cameron Atkins (Lake Erie College) won by decision over Nigel Toussaint (Gannon) (Dec 5-2)
Cons. Round 1 - Nigel Toussaint (Gannon) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Kyle O`Donnell (Ohio) won by decision over Nigel Toussaint (Gannon) (Dec 10-6)

Storm Open 285 - Jeff Miller's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Jeff Miller (Gannon) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Kosta Karageorge (Ohio State) won by decision over Jeff Miller (Gannon) (Dec 4-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Jeff Miller (Gannon) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 - Bob Zappitelli (Lake Erie College) won by decision over Jeff Miller (Gannon) (Dec 2-1)

Storm Open 285 - Bradley Beiter's place is unknown and has scored 7.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Bradley Beiter (Gannon) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Austin Linden (Lake Erie College) won by fall over Bradley Beiter (Gannon) (Fall 2:13)
Cons. Round 2 - Bradley Beiter (Gannon) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 - Bradley Beiter (Gannon) won by fall over Noah Hosking (Lake Erie College) (Fall 3:00)
Cons. Round 4 - Bradley Beiter (Gannon) won by medical forfeit over Yaseen Mudassar (Notre Dame (Ohio)) (MFF)
Cons. Round 5 - Almonte Patrick (Lake Erie College) won by fall over Bradley Beiter (Gannon) (Fall 2:46)