Campus News
January 18th, 2025
Laker wrestlers improve duals mark to 9-2
Garrett College sweeps three matches; now 6-1 versus NJCAA squads
Garrett College's Jacob Beeman, right, overcame a 10-3, third-period deficit against Bergen Community College's Diego Camargo by pinning Camargo in the 285-pound match.
Garrett College wrestling head coach David Wingate was not a happy camper despite the Lakers' 36-15 win against visiting Jamestown (NY) Community College in the first of three GC dual matches last Saturday.
"We were just not aware and not wrestling up to our capabilities," said Wingate, whose squad used six forfeits to claim the team win.
"After that match, we [the coaching staff] went back to the locker room and had a talk with the team," added Wingate. "After that, they were rippin' and roarin' to go."
Indeed they were. The Lakers, properly inspired, routed NCAA Division III opponent Waynesburg (PA) University, 38-17, and romped over Gulf Atlantic District rival Bergen (NJ) Community College, 48-11, to cap a 3-0 day.
The Lakers improved to 6-1 against two-year competition and 9-2 overall this season.
Nick Anderson (125 pounds), Camden Hull (133), Brooks Smith (149), Everett Nichols (157), Braeden Poorbaugh (184), and Jacob Beeman (285) all registered pins against Bergen. Beeman had the most dramatic win of the Bergen match, notching a third-period pin against Diego Camargo after entering the final period facing a 10-3 deficit
"Jacob started the third period from the top position, broke Camargo down, and then out of nowhere hit a cradle and got the pin," said Wingate. "That win was huge for seeding purposes going into the district tournament.
"The great part about wrestling is no matter what the score, you're always in position to win the match," added Wingate. "His [Beeman's] match was pretty much the black-and-white definition of that."
James Bounds lost on a technical fall to Bergen's Brian Vargas, the reigning NJCAA Region 19 champ who finished eighth at the 2024 nationals. While losing the match, Bounds won Wingate's admiration for his efforts.
"James bumped up two weight classes to wrestle at 141 pounds, and saved us a team point by not getting pinned," observed Wingate.
Waynesburg won its matches against Jamestown and Bergen, but the Lakers rolled over their four-year opponent.
Hull bumped up a weight class and still earned a technical fall at 141 pounds while Beeman notched a pin at 285 pounds. Cole Stuchal (165) and Kyle Press-Stevens also wrestling impressively while notching wins against Waynesburg.
Anderson, Beeman, and Drayk Bunn – who is ranked 10th nationally at 197 pounds – were all undefeated during the long day of wrestling.
The Lakers' next set of duals comes on January 22nd at Fairmont (WV) State University, which will also include Glenville (WV) State University, which is ranked fourth among NCAA Division II colleges by flowrestling and seventh by openmat.
