LEHIGH OPENS 105TH WRESTLING SEASON AT GRACE HALL SATURDAY NIGHT

[ngineer]

Mountain Hawks may be starting 5 freshmen and 3 sophomores tomorrow night against visiting Bucknell Bison in the ol' Snake Pit. Bucknell has two matches under their belt already with wins over Shippensburg and Lock Haven. Surprising Laike Gardner knocked off defending EIWA champ Randy Cruz to be named starter at 141 lbs. Cruz may end up red-shirting this year with such a talent logjam at this weight. Austin Meys may make an appearance at 184 lbs, which would be a tremendous recovery from a two year bout with a neurological deficit in his legs. Lehigh is a preseason rank #19 as a dual meet team. If the 'youngsters' stay with it, this could be the beginning of a nice run over the next few years. Check out www.lehighwrestling.com (http://www.lehighwrestling.com) , the website of the Lehigh Wrestling Club. Full access to the site, which includes tremendous archives and stats over the years, as well as videos and photos, including the new wrestling complex.

[ngineer]

A somber finish to a 17-17 tie with the Bison, as the Mountain Hawks entered the 285 lb bout with a 17-11 lead, and though not favored, Sophomore Max Wessel was expected to give #6 ranked Stolfi a good run. Unfortunately, after Max shot in deep for the third time, in the ensuing scamble, Stolfi rolled over Wessel's ankle, and the result did not look too good. With the 6 point injury default, Bucknell avoided their 10th straight loss to Lehigh. Ankle injury looked serious and could be season ending, which if so, would jump Doug Vollaro, the #1 heavyweight recruit in the country last year to starter...just in time for the big weekend coming up with #15 Bloomsburg on Friday night, and #1 Penn State on Sunday! Both at Lehigh.