WVU Wrestling Cruises By Glenville State in Season Opener

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 18 ranked WVU wrestling team captured a 35-10 victory over Glenville State to open the dual meet season on Wednesday night inside the WVU Coliseum.

West Virginia improved to 5-0 all-time against the in-state foe Pioneers, who came in ranked No. 15 in the NCAA Division II poll. Glenville State’s 10 team points were the most scored by the Pioneers in the series’ history.

The Mountaineers compiled a pin, five technical falls and a major decision victory to help secure the win over the Pioneers. Jett Strickenberger and returning All-American Peyton Hall both bumped up a weight class and secured technical fall wins, with Strickenberger defeating Hunter Ross 17-2 at 133 pounds and Hall claiming an 18-3 victory over Hayden Pummel at 174.

“A couple of the guys wrestled very well and some not so well, and that’s something they know they have to work on,” West Virginia seventh-year head coach Tim Flynn said. “It’s always important to get a good start to the year. Every time you go on the mat, it’s an opportunity to improve your craft. Jordan (Titus) had a big win over a former Division II national champion. There were definitely some highlights tonight.”

West Virginia’s Jace Schafer opened the match with a 14-2 major decision victory over former Mountaineer Colton Drousias at 125 pounds.

The Mountaineers followed with four consecutive technical falls from Strickenberger, Jordan Titus, (141) defending Big 12 champion Ty Watters (149) and Caleb Dowling (157) to balloon the lead to 24-0 through five matches.

Glenville State’s Guy DeLeonardis got the Pioneers on the scoreboard at 165 with a 14-3 major decision win over Trey Johnson, who was making his dual meet debut for the Mountaineers.

Following Hall’s win, Glenville State’s Kyle Homet secured a takedown on Ian Bush with 11 seconds remaining in the third period to grab a come-from-behind 11-10 victory at 184. Homet nearly pinned Bush right off the opening whistle and led 5-0, but Bush rallied to tie the match at 8-all through two periods. An escape point in the third put Bush ahead until the closing seconds.

Mountaineers heavyweight Michael Wolfgram capped off the win by pinning Devan Gauldin in 4:39.

A fall from Wolfgram to seal the deal! pic.twitter.com/pDpxKQlZRP

— WVU Wrestling (@WVUWrestling) November 7, 2024

West Virginia (1-0) will be back in action Nov. 14 when the Mountaineers travel to Rider University.

Find more coverage of WVU wrestling at WV Sports Now.