Chris Eddins (149 lbs.) and Brock Biddle each won by fall, Connor Craig defeated No. 1-ranked Tony Vezzetti at 184 lbs., and the second-ranked Mountain Cat wrestlers used a one-point deduction on the Notre Dame bench to hold off the No. 3-ranked Falcons, 22-21, in Saturday's Fifth-Place Match at the NWCA National Duals in Louisville, KY.
 
Pitt-Johnstown improved to 14-3 on the season and Head Coach Pat Pecora picked up his 611^th career victory to move to within five off tying former Oregon State coach Dale Thomas' all-time wins record for coaches in all divisions.
 
It stayed close from the start.  After No. 5 Brendan Howard gave the Mountain Cats a quick 4-0 lead with a 17-6 major decision over Johnny Craker at 125 lbs., Notre Dame got a pin at 2:50 from top-ranked Hunter Bray in the 133-lb. bout to go in front 6-4.
 
The Falcons increased it to 9-4 on fifth-ranked Kelan McKenna's 7-1 decision over No. 8 Jacob Ealy at 141 lbs., before Pitt-Johnstown's No. 1-ranked Eddins took just :49 to pin Kyle French at 149 lbs. to give the lead back to the Mountain Cats.
 
At 157 lbs., Taylor Misuna dealt Pitt-Johnstown's Jacob Burgette a 16-6 major decision loss, but Notre Dame was deducted one point for a bench misconduct, and held a 12-10 lead.
 
The Mountain Cats responded with wins at 165 and 174 lbs.  Fourth-ranked Devin Austin defeated Jordan Tague, 7-3, and fifth-ranked Biddle pinned Emilio Fowler at 1:22 to give Pitt-Johnstown the lead, 19-12.
 
The Mountain Cats made it 22-12 at 184 lbs. when fourth-ranked Craig held off top-ranked Tony Vezzetti, 75 to extend the lead to 22-12.
 
The Falcons won the final two bouts, but it wasn't enough.  Michael Viramontes won an 8-5 decision at 197 lbs. over Tyler Oliver and sixth-ranked Jared Campbell pinned Allan Beattie at :15 to set the final at 22-21.