Lakeland College

Muskie Wrestlers Beat Out Nationally-Ranked Teams at Wheaton

Athletics - posted on 2/2/2008

Senior Paul Hartt and sophomore Adam Sutter were instrumental in helping the Muskies garner an eighth-place finish over tough nationally-ranked teams as the Pete Willson Invite came to a close on Saturday, Feb. 2, in Wheaton, Ill.

The Muskies, who are currently unranked, finished with 64.5 points, which helped them top No. 10 UW-Whitewater and No. 26 Messiah.

"I was also pleased with the way we were able to finish in front of some nationally-ranked teams even though we were missing a few of our starters," said Lakeland head coach Pete Rogers, who was missing David Copp and Ben Chapman due to some injuries.

Hartt kept his undefeated record at the invite intact by winning the individual title in the 197-pound division. Sutter finished a close second in the heavyweight division, falling in double overtime, 3-2, to the No. 4 ranked wrestler in the nation, Jaron Rutledge of Knox College.

"Paul wrestled really well and beat some of his opponents by pretty convincing margins," said Lakeland head coach Pete Rogers. "Adam also wrestled real well against some tough nationally-ranked guys. I was happy with the way he stuck it out in his last match."

Hartt, who is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation in his weight class, started off the day with a win in the semifinals on a pin over Lawrence University's Jack Peters in 4:01. He then finished off a solid weekend with a gratifying win in the championship match, 7-3, over UW-La Crosse's Adam Moore.

Sophomore Jake Frias (165) and junior Kory Theil (141) also competed in the second day of the tournament, both finishing in sixth place in their respective weight classes with Theil fighting into overtime in his fifth-place championship match before falling, 3-1.

The Muskies will continue duals action at Milwaukee School of Engineering on Thursday, Feb. 7. Match time is set for 7 p.m. in Milwaukee, Wis.

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