OMAHA, Neb. – Mercyhurst College senior
Andy Lamancusa defeated Marcus Edgington of Augustana College by a 2-1 decision to capture third-place at the 2010 NCAA II Wrestling National Championships.
The win avenged an opening round overtime loss to Edgington and secured Lamancusa’s second-straight third-place finish.
“It’s nice to go out on a win,” said Lamancusa. “I’ve been wrestling for 16 years. It’s kind of weird that that was my last match of my career. I don’t know what to think. I don’t think it will settle in for awhile. I’m sure I’ll miss it next year when the season is about to start but hopefully I’ll be coaching by then.”
The match opened with a tough, scoreless first period that saw Lamancusa constantly on the offensive, with Edgington receiving a warning for stalling late in the opening frame.
Edgington escaped to start the second stanza but quickly gave up a point to Lamancusa thanks to his continued stalling. Lamancusa used an escape in the third for the final score and held off a charging Edgington in the final minute to earn his third All-America certificate.
In his final appearance, the Lakers’ all-time victories leader closed out his career with a 119-45 mark and broke his own record for single-season wins with a 39-10 record.
“It was a great way to finish off his career,” said third-year head coach
Mike Wehler. “It’s one of the hardest thing to do – lose the first match and come back to take third. It’s about as rewarding as winning a title and about as tough. I was just excited that he could finish this tournament and his career with a win. He wrestles so hard all the time. He’s the type of kid that is a program changer. He will always be one of the most significant people that have come through Mercyhurst. He’s not somebody that you can replace easily.”
Lamancusa owns two of the best single-season marks for victories in addition to being the career leader in wins, takedowns and major decisions. He is one of only four wrestlers to amass 100 victories in his career and is one of just four wrestlers to record three All-America certificates.
“To be on those plaques with those other guys, that was my goal from the beginning,” said Lamancusa. “Now that I’m finally at that level it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”
Lamancusa advanced to the third-place match after defeating Danny Grater of Fort Hays State by a 10-3 decision. Lamancusa opened the scoring with a takedown in the first and added an escape in the second to give the senior a 3-1 advantage heading into the final frame. There, Lamancusa posted a takedown with just over a minute left before Grater countered with two escape points to cut the lead to 5-3.
However, Lamancusa powered in the final 30 seconds with a takedown and three nearfall points for the final score.
In the third round of consolations, Lamancusa defeated Dillon Bera of Wisconsin-Parkside by a 5-3 decision.
Third Place Match:
Andy Lamancusa (MC) dec. Marcus Edgington (AUG), 2-1
Fourth Round Wrestleback:
Andy Lamancusa (MC) dec. Danny Grater (FHSU), 10-3
Third Round Wrestleback:
Andy Lamancusa (MC) dec. Dillon Bera (UWP), 5-3
Second Round Wrestleback:
Andy Lamancusa (MC) maj. dec. Sean Byrnes (NC), 13-3
First Round Wrestleback:
Andy Lamancusa (MC) dec. Stephen Towne (GCU), 7-2
Championship First Round:
Marcus Edgington (AUG) dec.
Andy Lamancusa (MC), 6-4 ot