Wrestlers stay unbeaten in OAC action with 35-3 victory at Muskingum

Jason Van Atta

By Steve Green

NEW CONCORD — The Ohio Northern wrestling team remained undefeated in Ohio Athletic Conference dual meet action with a 35-3 victory at Muskingum Tuesday night at the Muskingum Recreation Center.

The Polar Bears improve to 7-8 overall and stay unbeaten in the Ohio Athletic Conference at 2-0, while the Muskies fall to 3-5, 0-2.

With the victory Ohio Northern improves to 47-10 in the 10-year history of the OAC regular season duals, in its current format, with four of the previous nine regular season conference titles.

Jason VanAtta provided the only pin on the night by pinning Shawn Feistamel at 1:35 at 125 to give the Polar Bears a quick 6-0 lead.

At 141 Joe Spooner dominated Luke Caracofe and gained the major decision 15-4.

Collin Swick also won by major decision 9-0 over Mike Frasure at 174.

Swick’s victory came in the middle of a stretch in which three ONU wrestlers shut out their opponents. Billy Painter started the streak with a 4-0 decision over Mitch King at 165, and at 184 Matt Alexander finished the streak with a 6-0 decision over Danny Dunn.

Mick Letcher also defeated Tommy Patterson 9-4 at 149.

Both Zach Sully (133) and Joe Fisher (285) were able to put away their opponents with one point victories. Sully won 11-10 over Chip Halko, and Fisher won 3-2 over Brian Barnhart.

The Polar Bears will take the weekend off and return to action next Tuesday at home against No. 24-ranked Heidelberg at 7:30 pm at the ONU Sports Center.

Ohio Northern 35, Muskingum 3
125 - Jason VanAtta (ONU) pinned Shawn Feistamel, 1:35
133 - Zach Sully (ONU) dec. Chip Halko, 11-10
141 - Joe Spooner maj. dec. Luke Caracofe, 15-4
149 - Mick Letcher (ONU) dec. Tommy Patterson, 9-4
157 - Luke Miller (ONU) won by forfeit
165 - Billy Painter (ONU) dec. Mitch King, 4-0
174 - Collin Swick (ONU) maj. dec. Mike Frasure, 9-0
184 - Matt Alexander (ONU) dec. Danny Dunn, 6-0
197 - Todd Neptune (MC) dec. Drew Michel, 3-1 sv
285 - Joe Fisher (ONU) dec. Brian Barnhart, 3-2