First-year Hed Coach Tyler Reinhart and the Pitt-Johnstown wrestlers, ranked ninth in the Open Mat Preseason Division II Rankings and 10^th in the NWCA Rankings, made their 2024-25 debuts, but No. 20/18 West Liberty (WV) got off to a fast start and held off the Mountain Cats, 23-10, Thursday evening in the Sports Center.
 
Following the match, Pitt-Johnstown held a memorial service with a video and various speakers, including Pitt-Johnstown President Dr. Jem Spectar, former wrestlers and administrator, for legendary Head Coach Pat Pecora, who lost his courageous battle with cancer on Sept. 8.
 
The Hilltoppers jumped out to a quick, 10-0, lead with wins in the first three bouts.  Logan Davis used a point for riding time to upset All-American and No. 7/5-ranked Trevon Gray to get things started at 125 lbs., and James Armstrong won a 6-3 decision over Tyson Cook at 133 lbs.  The Hilltoppers then got a 14-2 major decision win by Tony Wood over NCAA National Qualifier and No. 10/8 Mason Myers in the bout at 141 lbs.
 
After the Mountain Cats answered at 149 lbs. with Carter Weaver's impressive, 15-4 major decision over Shawn Young, West Liberty followed with a pair of wins to get the lead out to 16-4.  At 157 lbs., Jordan Watters defeated national Qualifier and No. 11/9 Cooper Warshel, 5-0, and No. 145/9 Alec Cook picked-up up a 4-1 victory over Gavyn Beck at 165 lbs.
 
At 174 lbs., Macon Myers used a late takedown to secure a 9-8 decision over Oliver Byerly to help Pitt-Johnstown cut the deficit to 16-7, but West Liberty was able to lock up the match at 184 lbs.  Two-time NCAA National Champion and top-ranked Ty McGeary took advantage of a strong third period and won a 12-2 major decision over Noah Gnibus to make it 20-7 with just two bouts remaining.
 
The Mountain Cats cut it to, 20-10, with All-American and No 6 Dakoda Rodgers' 7-3 win over No. 19 Devon Bell at 197 lbs., but West Liberty's Parker Bentley upset All-American and third-ranked Isaiah Vance, 4-1, at 285 lbs., to set the final at 23-10.
 
The Mountain Cats travel to Journeymen Collegiate Classic on Sunday and to East Stroudsburg to open the PSAC schedule on Nov. 14.  Pitt-Johnstown will return to the Sports Center on Jan. 4 with a Quad Match with Lake Erie (OH), UNC-Pembroke, and Grand Valley State (MI).