Official Championship Page
Day 2 Results
TIFFIN, Ohio – A perfect record and some dramatic moments fueled a memorable title run at the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Wrestling Championship for Lake Erie over two days in the Heminger Center.
The Storm finished the Great Midwest’s inaugural postseason offering for the sport with a perfect 4-0 record, which included one dual win over Alderson Broaddus, Findlay, Kentucky Wesleyan and No. 11 Tiffin.
It was quite the statement to be made from first-year head coach Jeff Breese and his program as three different teams around the league have been nationally ranked at some point in 2018-19.
It was also LEC’s second conference team title since the Storm’s women’s lacrosse program hoisted a championship trophy in 2018.
Tiffin was the runner-up with a 3-1 record, Findlay came in third at 2-2, Alderson Broaddus was fourth at 1-3 and first-year program Kentucky Wesleyan closed out 0-4. Ohio Valley did not compete in the tournament and all matches were declared “no contests” in the schedule.
After defeating Kentucky Wesleyan on Friday, Lake Erie beat Findlay, 24-18, to set up a showdown of unbeatens against host Tiffin.
On paper, to many, it would seem like the Dragons had the home-mat advantage and the fans on their side, but as the match unfolded in each weight class, it was clear Lake Erie wasn’t ready to give up any ground.
Back-to-back falls at 133 and 141 pounds from Forrest Glogouski and Andrew Lieb helped the Storm score some key bonus points and counter a tech fall at 125 from Tiffin’s Giuseppe Penzone. Nick Boggs (157) , Sean O’Hearon (165) and Tyler Orrison (174) rattled off three consecutive wins in the middle weights.
After getting injured against Findlay, LEC’s Jesse Palser gritted out a close decision at 184 vs. two-time conference athlete of the week Hayden Bronne. But TU’s Nick Mason knotted things at 20-20 with a 2:14 stick at 197 pounds.
With the match all square and coming down to the battle of the heavyweights, the script couldn’t have been written for a better finish.
Enter Lake Erie senior heavyweight Evan Loughman, who has carved out his niche as the national Division II falls leader. Loughman and Tiffin’s David Henson battled for positioning with their respsective benches imploring them on.
It appeared Henson was going to score a takedown, but Loughman wriggled away and countered back on the Dragons’ heavyweight with a move that would set up the pin. Loughman triumphantly rose and turned to his teammates pointing with a ring-sizing gesture, knowing the championship was most likely secured.
The Storm still had to take care of business in Round 5 and beat Alderson Broaddus, 38-7.
Next for Great Midwest programs is the NCAA Super Regionals. After the conclusion of super regionals, where student-athletes will attempt to qualify for nationals, the all-conference team voted by the league’s coaches will be announced.