WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - After two and a half weeks of no competition, Millersville wrestling traveled to West Virginia to take part in the Hilltopper Duals. The Marauders fell to No. 10 West Liberty 28-14 and Ohio Northern University,29-9.

"Both of these teams are tough," said head coach Jerry Boland. "They are both nationally ranked and are battle-tested. We showed some good things, but we also got exposed to some areas."

The lone Marauder to cap the day 2-0 was redshirt sophomore Nick Cottone. In the first dual, the 141-pounder won by major decision (9-0) over Anthony Wood from West Liberty to award Millersville with four team points. In the second dual, Cottone beat Gabe Hansen from ONU, 5-4. 

"Nick wrestled extremely well," mentioned Boland. "He had two tough opponents and wrestled well in every position. He showed a lot of poise and confidence and earned himself two big wins."

Richie DeFulvio and Riley O'Boyle split the duals 1-1. Both Marauders won their first dual while recording bonus point wins. DeFulvio, ranked No. 14 at 149-pounds, pinned Shawn Young from West Liberty in three minutes. The freshman now leads the Marauders in bonus point wins with seven. O'Boyle had a dominant performance, acquiring a major decision (10-0) win over Luke Justice from West Liberty. Against Ohio Northern, both wrestlers dropped their matches but not without putting up a fight. The Polar Bears pulled away with gutsy decision wins. 

Taylor Robinson and Bruce Vaughan appeared in the Ohio Northern dual scoring gritty wins. Robinson, ranked No. 10 in the 133-pound weight class, edged Chase Vanderhorst, 6-4. Vaughan sought out his first dual win of the season over Ajay Locke recording a 8-4 decision win.

"We need to clean up some things moving forward," said Boland. "There are also some things we preach and practice that we didn't do well today. We will learn from today and use it to improve when we return from break."

The Marauders have a three-week break before their next dual. They will travel to Franklin & Marshall to compete in the David Lehman Open on Friday, January 10, at 9 a.m.

RESULTS: 

West Liberty 28, Millersville 14

• 125: Caiden Harbert (WL) over Braxton Keiffer (MILL) (MD 8-0)
• 133: James Armstrong Jr (WL) over Cael Rossi (MILL) (Dec 8-2)
• 141: Nick Cottone (MILL) over Anthony Wood (WL) (MD 9-0)
• 149: Richie DeFulvio (MILL) over Shawn Young (WL) (Fall 3:00)
• 157: Jordan Watters (WL) over Nick Bennet (MILL) (Dec 6-0)
• 165: Alec Cook (WL) over Chase Bish (MILL) (Dec 5-3)
• 174: Carter Winegardner (WL) over Mitch Bivona (MILL) (TF 19-4)
• 184: Ty McGeary (WL) over Cole Dubois (MILL) (TF 22-5)
• 197: Riley O'Boyle (MILL) over Luke Justice (WL) (MD 10-0)
• 285: Parker Bentley (WL) over Bishop McCoy (MILL) (TF 18-2)

Ohio Northern University 29, Millersville 9

• 125: Colin Mellott (ONU) over Braxton Keiffer (MILL) (Fall 4:43)
• 133: Taylor Robinson (MILL) over Chase Vanderhorst (ONU) (Dec 6-4)
• 141: Nick Cottone (MILL) over Gabe Hansen (ONU) (Dec 5-4)
• 149: Cael Vanderhorst (ONU) over Richie DeFulvio (MILL) (Dec 6-4)
• 157: Nick Campbell (ONU) over Nick Bennet (MILL) (Dec 6-5)
• 165: Teagan Hendricks (ONU) over Mitch Bivona (MILL) (Dec 5-0)
• 174: Adam Myers (ONU) over Chase Bish (MILL) (TF 17-1)
• 184: Bruce Vaughan (MILL) over Ajay Locke (ONU) (Dec 8-4)
• 197: Gavin Layman (ONU) over Riley O'Boyle (MILL) (Dec 7-1)
• 285: Myles Johnson (ONU) over Bishop McCoy (MILL) (Fall 2:28)