Diallo Takes 133 Title as Men's Wrestling Finishes Third at MEC Championships

WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. – Senior Thierno Diallo became Frostburg State Men's Wrestling's first-ever MEC champion in winning the 133-lb division, helping the team finish third overall at the tournament in just their second season of Division II competition.
 
Freshman Nate Wilhelm got the day started for FSU at the 125 class, winning his opening bout by pinfall in just 43 seconds before falling in the semifinals to national eighth-ranked Logan Davis. He recovered in the consolation bracket with another first round pin, then secured third place overall with a 9-0 major decision to earn Honorable Mention All-MEC.
 
In his first bout, Diallo one-upped his teammate with a 21-second pin, then advanced to the championship with a 9-5 decision win in the semis. After a scoreless first period, he took a narrow 2-1 lead in the second before dominating the third with five unanswered points and a 7-1 victory. At 149, sophomore Gage Heilbrun took a tech fall win in the opening round before suffering the same fate in the semifinals, though he too recovered to take an 11-2 major decision in earning third place.
 
The Bobcats continued to roll in the 157 class, as redshirt junior Nico D'Amico received a bye into the semifinals, where he dominated in a 20-2 tech fall to reach the championship. He faced a tough task in facing the No. 4 wrestler in the country, Guy DeLeonardis, who proved his ranking with a 21-5 win, as D'Amico received Second Team All-MEC honors. In similar fashion, sophomore Mason Buckler moved into the semifinals at 165 through a bye, then booked his spot in the championship with an 8-4 decision. In the lowest possible scoring bout, he narrowly fell 1-0 on riding time to take second place.
 
At 174 lbs, graduate Owen Butler lost a close battle 10-8 in his opening bout, but came back with a vengeance in taking two tech falls (19-2, 20-4) to earn third place and Honorable Mention All-MEC. Closing out the All-MEC honors, freshman Austin Lewis took a 37-second pin in his opening match before losing by the same fate to eventual champion and seventh-ranked Nick Johnson. He earned another first round pin for a spot in the third place match, where he was awarded a medical forfeit for another Honorable Mention title.
 
Frostburg totaled 126 total team points on the day, improving on last season's fourth place and finishing just 7.5 points behind second place and 10^th-ranked West Liberty, while No. 2 Glenville State earned their second-consecutive championship at 163 points.
 
FSU will next travel to Garrett CC on Thursday, February 6 at 6 p.m. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.