The 11^th-ranked Pitt-Johnstown wrestlers fell behind early, but stormed back with five consecutive wins, including Nate Smith's come-from-behind sudden victory over Jonah Smith at 157 lbs., to upend sixth-ranked West Liberty (WV) University, 28-9, in Thursday season-opener in the Sports Center.
 
In the opening bout, Pitt-Johnstown red-shirt freshman Trevon Gray gave two-time NCAA National Champion and No. 1-ranked Cole Laya everything he could handle before Laya's second period escape lifted him to a 1-0 win.
 
West Liberty increased it to 6-0 with seventh-ranked Vinny Scollo's 5-2 decision over Byron Daubert at 133 lbs., but the Mountain Cats answered right back with five straight wins to build a 13 point advantage.
 
At 141 lbs., 10^th-ranked Caleb Morris dealt Khyvon Grace a 10-2 major decision loss to get the Mountain Cats on the board, and second-ranked Jacob Ealy put Pitt-Johnstown on top, 10-6, with an injury default victory at 3:34 over Greg Brusco in the 149-lb. bout.
 
Smith, ranked fourth at 157 lbs., battled back from a 6-0 first period deficit to force overtime, the took down Jonah Smith :24 into the extra period to secure a 12-10 win, and No. 12 Dillon Keane scored a 6-1 win over two-time National Qualifier Chase Morgan at 165 lbs., to increase the lead to 16-6.
 
After Alex Weber held off Alec Cook, 4-3, at 174 lbs. to increase the lead to 19-6, the Hilltoppers got an 8-6 sudden victory from No. 4 Ty McGeary over three-time All-American and No. 12 Brock Biddle at 184 lbs. to cut it to 19-9 with two bouts remaining.
 
However, Pitt-Johnstown put the match away at 197 lbs. when Dakoda Rodgers defeated Drake Kendrex, 5-2, and built the lead to 22-9.
 
The Mountain Cats finished strong.  Isaiah Vance pinned All-American and sixth-ranked Francesco Borsellino at 5:21 to set the final at 28-9.
 
Pitt-Johnstown travels to the 2022 Journey Classic in Manheim on Nov 13 and to East Stroudsburg on Nov. 16 to open the PSAC schedule. The Mountain Cats will return to the Sports Center to host the Mountain Cat Quad with Fairmont State (WV), King (TN), and Lake Erie (OH) on Dec. 3.