Saturday, November 18
St. Charles, Mo.
8:00 a.m.
West Virginia University
at
Lindenwood Open
Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
Schmitt Claims Third at Lindenwood Open
November 18, 2017 10:17 PM | Wrestling
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Redshirt freshman Matthew Schmitt went 4-1 in his pool to finish third in his respective weight class, as the West Virginia University wrestling team competed at the Lindenwood Open in St. Charles, Missouri, on Saturday.
Junior Joe Wheeling and redshirt senior Parker VonEgidy also claimed the 141-pound and 174-pound consolation titles, respectively. VonEgidy moved to 10-2 on the season, while Wheeling competed in his first open tournament of the year, going 4-1 at the event to move to 5-2 on the season.
Schmitt, ranked No. 20 via The Open Mat, notched four wins on his way to a third-place finish at 133 pounds, moving to 9-2 on the year. Schmitt also finished third in his pool at the Clarion Open just two weeks ago.
"It's unbelievable," said fourth-year coach Sammie Henson. "He is committed to getting better every week. He's a hard worker, and he wants to go out like a champion. He's progressing great."
The Platte City, Missouri, native picked up two victories, claiming his first win of the day with a 12-3 major decision over SIUE's Lucas Bernal. Schmitt then went on to claim a 7-1 decision against Lindenwood's Hunter Harlason, before dropping a 4-3 decision to Iowa State's Ian Parker in the third round of competition. Schmitt bounced back, though, winning by fall in the first period (2:19) over unattached wrestler Kristofer Hudson. He then used a 9-2 decision over Iowa State's Markus Simmons to claim third place in his respective bracket.
At 141 pounds, Wheeling dropped a 13-3 major decision to unattached wrestler Kaden Gfeller in the second round of competition. He then rolled to three straights wins, earning himself a spot in the finals of the consolation bracket. Wheeling finished the day with an 8-0 major decision over Missouri's Nick Nasenbeny, his third of the event, to claim first place overall in his respective pool.
VonEgidy went 4-1 to claim first place in the consolation bracket at 174 pounds. VonEgidy fell to MVC's Dalton Tiptop early on in the second period (3:12) to move to the consolation finals, where he won by fall over BC's Kaleb Mitchel (2:31) before taking a 13-3 major decision over UCM's Cole Kemna. He then faced MAU's Mladen Vasilev, claiming an 8-2 decision, before winning the overall bracket with a 16-5 major decision over unattached wrestler Anthony Falbo.
Of note, 10 other Mountaineers competed in a Gold and Blue singlet at the Lindenwood Open on Saturday, while two wrestlers competed unattached.
"These tournaments are tough, but these matches only make you sharper," Henson said. "We have to commit to the process, and I think we are making progress each and every week."
Looking ahead, the Mountaineers will open their 2017-18 home slate against No. 15 Nebraska on Saturday, Nov. 25, and it is the first of two Dollar Days planned for the year. All tickets and select concessions will be available for $1 each. Additionally, the first 150 fans in attendance will receive a free WVU WWE-style t-shirt.
Junior Joe Wheeling and redshirt senior Parker VonEgidy also claimed the 141-pound and 174-pound consolation titles, respectively. VonEgidy moved to 10-2 on the season, while Wheeling competed in his first open tournament of the year, going 4-1 at the event to move to 5-2 on the season.
Schmitt, ranked No. 20 via The Open Mat, notched four wins on his way to a third-place finish at 133 pounds, moving to 9-2 on the year. Schmitt also finished third in his pool at the Clarion Open just two weeks ago.
"It's unbelievable," said fourth-year coach Sammie Henson. "He is committed to getting better every week. He's a hard worker, and he wants to go out like a champion. He's progressing great."
The Platte City, Missouri, native picked up two victories, claiming his first win of the day with a 12-3 major decision over SIUE's Lucas Bernal. Schmitt then went on to claim a 7-1 decision against Lindenwood's Hunter Harlason, before dropping a 4-3 decision to Iowa State's Ian Parker in the third round of competition. Schmitt bounced back, though, winning by fall in the first period (2:19) over unattached wrestler Kristofer Hudson. He then used a 9-2 decision over Iowa State's Markus Simmons to claim third place in his respective bracket.
At 141 pounds, Wheeling dropped a 13-3 major decision to unattached wrestler Kaden Gfeller in the second round of competition. He then rolled to three straights wins, earning himself a spot in the finals of the consolation bracket. Wheeling finished the day with an 8-0 major decision over Missouri's Nick Nasenbeny, his third of the event, to claim first place overall in his respective pool.
VonEgidy went 4-1 to claim first place in the consolation bracket at 174 pounds. VonEgidy fell to MVC's Dalton Tiptop early on in the second period (3:12) to move to the consolation finals, where he won by fall over BC's Kaleb Mitchel (2:31) before taking a 13-3 major decision over UCM's Cole Kemna. He then faced MAU's Mladen Vasilev, claiming an 8-2 decision, before winning the overall bracket with a 16-5 major decision over unattached wrestler Anthony Falbo.
Of note, 10 other Mountaineers competed in a Gold and Blue singlet at the Lindenwood Open on Saturday, while two wrestlers competed unattached.
"These tournaments are tough, but these matches only make you sharper," Henson said. "We have to commit to the process, and I think we are making progress each and every week."
Looking ahead, the Mountaineers will open their 2017-18 home slate against No. 15 Nebraska on Saturday, Nov. 25, and it is the first of two Dollar Days planned for the year. All tickets and select concessions will be available for $1 each. Additionally, the first 150 fans in attendance will receive a free WVU WWE-style t-shirt.
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