Harrison Lilley

Staff Writer

hjl5363@psu.edu

Alfred, NY – The Behrend Lions Wrestling Team made a remarkable showing at the 2024 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Wrestling Championships held at Alfred State, claiming third place with a total of 96 team points. This impressive performance marked a significant improvement over the previous year, with the team scoring 56 points more than in last year’s AMCC Championship.

Senior Peyton Hearn from Conneaut, PA, and freshman Martin Ohlsson from Westfield, NY, led the charge as they both emerged as AMCC Wrestling Champions, a first for the program in just the second year the conference has hosted a championship meet. Hearn, competing in the 149 weight class, and Ohlsson, in the 157 division, both secured a flawless 3-0 record on the day, culminating in gold medals for their outstanding efforts.

Hearn began his triumphant day with a dominant 19-2 technical fall over Ryan Trimber of Penn, followed by a 12-2 major decision against Ben Lloyd of Alfred State. In the championship match, he secured victory with a 7-5 decision over TJ Martin from Penn Tech. Ohlsson’s path to victory included a pin against Alex Johnson of Alfred State and a narrow 12-11 decision over Liam Goodrich of Penn Tech., before defeating Ethan Morison of Alfred State 5-3 to win his weight class.

Matthew Caldwell, competing at 197, showcased his skills by advancing to the finals with a 3-2 decision over Gabriel Kennedy-Citeron, although he ultimately fell to Blake Ilges of Alfred State with a major decision of 15-5. Ja’Shad Bumpers, in the 125 weight class, displayed remarkable resilience by bouncing back with three consecutive wins in the consolation bracket, securing third place with two wins by fall and a decisive 7-3 decision over Ryan Farley of Alfred State.

The tournament also saw commendable performances from other Behrend wrestlers. Cole Neil (Saint Mary’s, PA), Jake Brown (Stroudsburg, PA), Lane Dellaquila (Saint Mary’s, PA), Ryan Gildersleeve (DuBois, PA), and Eric Morales (San Antonio, TX) each placed fourth in their respective weight classes, contributing to the team’s overall success.

The Behrend Lions’ performance at the AMCC Championships signifies a significant milestone in their wrestling program, highlighting the dedication and skill of both the athletes and coaching staff. With nine wrestlers placing in the top four of their categories, the team’s future in collegiate wrestling looks promising.