FINAL RESULTS
PHOTO GALLERY

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein wrestling team got back to action for the first time in five weeks Tuesday night in the Rike Center, dropping a 23-12 Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) dual to visiting Heidelberg.

The Cardinals, now 6-3 overall and 1-2 within the conference, will have the upcoming weekend off to regroup before a tough test next Tuesday night at 11th-ranked Baldwin Wallace. The Yellow Jackets have a 15-2 record in duals this season.

Otterbein took an early lead against the Student Princes, getting an 8-4 win from 125-pounder Jackson Lakso as the sophomore improved to a solid 16-4 this year individually.

The Student Princes tied the contest in the ensuing bout and then took the lead for good with a 55-second pin in the 141-pound matchup.

The Cards didn't waver, notching decision victories from Jake Vaughan at 149 and then Willy Plaisir at 165 to trail just 13-9 as the dual hit its backstretch. Both wrestlers won decisions by four points, with Plaisir moving to 17-3 overall this winter.

Heidelberg held on to win near closing time, tallying a crucial major decision at 184 pounds and then watching Chase Morrison only surrender an 8-2 defeat to Otterbein standout Drew Kasper. The Lexington native remained undefeated in his OAC career, running his season record to 15-2 as he remains ranked amongst the top-10 nationally.

Heidelberg, which had defeated Otterbein 34-6 last year in Tiffin, won the heavyweight contest in moving to 6-6 overall and 2-0 against the OAC.

Following the road affair at Baldwin Wallace, the Cardinals will travel to the always-competitive Wheaton Invitational come Jan. 26-27 in Illinois.