MATCH RESULTS

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cardinal wrestlers continued their strong start to the inaugural season Wednesday in the second night of a back-to-back, flying past host Case Western Reserve University by a score of 37-9.

Otterbein claimed victories in eight of the 10 matches, including four falls, to run its season record to 9-1 heading into an off weekend. The team will return to action next Tuesday evening at Heidelberg University.

Freshman Jackson Lakso opened the action against Case Western Reserve with a win at 125 pounds, jumping ahead early and never relinquishing the lead en route to an 11-5 triumph. He now stands 8-2 on the season.

Classmate Tyler Norris (133 lbs.) followed by hanging on for a narrow 6-5 decision of his own, and sophomore Jake Vaughan ensued with a 9-1 major decision in his return to the mat at 141 pounds. It was his first outing since suffering an injury back in November.

CWRU got on the scoreboard with a technical-fall victory at the 149-pound division, but Otterbein standout Willy Plaisir continued his dominance at 157 by pinning his opponent just 1:03 into the first round. He now holds a 13-1 record to go along with seven falls, tied for second-best on the team with Norris.

Freshman Donny Didion got himself back into the win column after a narrow defeat against Muskingum, this time hanging on for a 4-2 triumph and giving the Cards some nice breathing room in the match, at 19-5.

The Cardinals then added with a pair of consecutive pins to clinch the contest, getting falls from Braden Neuberger (174 lbs.) at 3:45 and then 184-pounder Corbin Bunsold just 24 seconds into his match. Bunsold now has eight first-round pins on the season and 11 overall.

Otterbein fell victim at 197 pounds before finishing things off on a high note, watching heavyweight Ras Lumpkins tally a fall early in the third round (5:45) in the first mat appearance of his career. He won by forfeit against the Muskies.

The Cardinals will face a stiff test next time out against Heidelberg as the Student Princes recently earned team championships at the Ohio Northern and Waynesburg Invitationals.