Luke Miller wins OAC Wrestling Championship at 157 pounds, advances to NCAA's

Luke Miller

By Steve Green

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NEW CONCORD -- Sophomore Luke Miller won the OAC championship at 157 to advance to the NCAA National Championships and earned Wrestler of the Year honors at the 2009 Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Saturday at Muskingum's Rec Center.

Second-seeded Miller reached the finals at 157 pounds with a 7-0 decision over third-seeded Bryan Skoff of Mount Union. Miller had a first round bye and enters the finals with a 28-7 record.

Once in the finals Miller faced off against top-seed Zach Mizer of Heidelberg. In an incredible match Miller earned the 3-2 decision and the OAC Championship. In addition, he was also named OAC Wrestler of the Year.

Miller earned All-Conference honors with a runner-up finish as a freshman in 2008.

Miller will next compete at the NCAA National Championships which will be held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa the weekend of March 6th.

Joe Spooner, the No. 2 seed at 141 pounds,  reached the finals with an 8-6 sudden victory decision over third-seeded Chris Romeo in the semifinals at 141 pounds. Spooner began the day with a 10-6 decision over Eric Schubert of Baldwin-Wallace.

Spooner then faced top-seeded Boomer Fechko of Heidelberg in the finals but fell 16-0. With his runner-up finish Spooner earned All-Conference honors.

The top two finishers at each weight class earn All-Conference honors. The 10 OAC Champions and one runner-up earn bids to the NCAA Division III Championships March 6-7 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Northern advanced eight wrestlers into the semifinals with first round victories and an additional five wrestlers to the third place matches.

Third-seeded Mick Letcher pinned Terrance Simon of Baldwin-Wallace at 149 pounds in Northern's most impressive victory in the early stages of the tournament.

Letcher won third place by forfeit at 149. Letcher used the second of his two pins on the day to defeat fifth-seeded Tim Detwiller at 5:53 and advance to the third place match.

Third-seeded Jeff Penny (133) was able to capture third place at 133. Jeff lost a close 6-4 decision to Adam Kriwinsky in the semifinals. He then defeated TJ Arnone 6-2, and advanced to the third place match.

In a thrilling match Jeff was able to win an exciting 8-7 decision over sixth-seeded Brian Bucher.

Fourth-seeded David Penny (125) had a first round bye. David lost a hard fought 8-4 decision to eventual champion Jerrad Hoxie in the semifinals. He then rebounded to win a 4-0 decision over Jeremy Dombrady to advance to the third place match.

David then used another 4-0 decision to defeat third-seeded Donny Herrington and earn third place.

At 165, Bill Painter also won third place by forfeit. Painter won a close decision 5-4 over Mitch King to advance to the third place match after losing 10-3 to eventual champion Matt Curley in the semifinals.

At 184 fourth-seeded Matt Alexander took third place with a 10-4 decision over second-seeded Ed Bizorik. Alexander dropped a close 4-3 decision to top-seeded Ben Adams in the semifinals, but used a 6-1 decision victory over Korey Leonhard to advance to the third place match.

Alexander's win made the Polar Bears a perfect five for five in third place matches today.

Northern placed fourth in the final team standings with 59.5 points.