Wrestling Begins New Year with Dual Victory

ERIE, PA. - The Defiance College wrestling team headed east on Sunday afternoon as they visited Penn State Behrend for a dual with the hosting Lions. The Yellow Jackets kicked off 2019 with a powerful performance, downing Behrend 35-12. 

Defiance found quick success as Rosendo Beltran (Toledo / Central Catholic) defeated his PSB opponent by way of a 4-3 decision. Seth Beard (Napoleon) and Raymier Hickerson (Cleveland Heights / Cleveland Heights) each followed up with victories in the 133 and 141 classes respectively. 

In 157 class action, Cortez Bradley (Garfield / Warrensville Heights) earned victory with a major decision (13-4) over PSUB's Ognibene. Tyler Houston (Swanton / Swanton) quickly followed Bradley's win with a major decision of his own (9-1), while Jacob Legge (Marysville / Marysville Early College) won via a pin to set the team score at 29-9. 

Defiance's successful day wrapped up with a win in the heavyweight division as Rigo Villa (Fort Myers, Fla. / Lehigh) pinned his Behrend opponent. 

The DC wrestling program will return to action next Saturday, Jan. 12 as the travel to Manchester University to participate in the Spartan Mat Classic. Action is slated to begin at 10:00 am.