Pioneers Start 2023 at David Lehman Open

Friday, January 6

Lancaster, Pa.

Sacred Heart

David Lehman Open

Pioneers Start 2023 at David Lehman Open

1/6/2023 10:55:00 PM | Men's Wrestling

Siemsen, Asuncion and Zarrella recorded multiple victories.

LANCASTER, Pa. – The Sacred Heart University men's wrestling team was on the mat for the first time in 2023 at the David Lehman Open, hosted by Franklin and Marshall. The Pioneers had several wrestlers move the brackets during Friday's competition.

At 157 pounds, Jon Siemsen started his day with back-to-back triumphs. He pinned NC State's Josh Johnson in 1:38 then edged out Aaron Munford of LIU, 4-3. Losses in his next two matches ended his run. Mike McGhee and Luca Pirozzolo also picked up wins at 157.

A first round setback didn't slow Dakota Asuncion in his next two matches at 149 pounds. He recorded a 9-7 decision against Columbia's Jerome Scottthen then won 9-2 over Dillon Murphy from Harvard. A tech fall by Navy's James Latona eliminated Asuncion. Also at 149, Chris Naegele and Matt Laurie collected opening-round wins, but lost their next two contests.

Aidan Zarrella needed a 3-1 triumph in sudden victory to stay alive at 165 pounds. He moved through the consolation bracket thanks to a 6-1 win versus Davidson's Nate Stephenson, but couldn't get past UNC's Gino Esposito. Nico Bogardus picked up a win at 165 before losing his second bout.

Mike Manta dropped his first match at 125 pounds to Air Force's Tucker Owens, but he rebounded with a 9-6 victory over Brayden Adams from Presbyterian. His run was ended with a 7-4 loss to Millersville's Dominic Flatt.

A pair of Pioneers won their opening bouts at 133 pounds. Andrew Fallon dropped Lock Haven's Wyatt Fox with a 10-6 decision and Jake Ice prevailed, 8-1, versus Venumadhava Mirel from Navy.

Following a loss in the opening round, Thomas Volpe rebounded at 141 pounds to pin Jacob Torres from Lock Haven in 1:08. He was bounced from the tournament by Princeton's Chris Martino in the next round.

Marc Berisha came through with a 7-4 win over Brown's Thomas Mukai at 285 pounds but had to medical forfeit his next match.

Sacred Heart is back on the Pitt Center mat January 15 to face VMI at 4 p.m.