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EAST STROUDSBURG - Freshman Marquan Payne and redshirt sophomore Mike Raccioppi recorded back-to-back falls to help East Stroudsburg University even the dual at 15-all, but Mercyhurst emerged with a 28-15 verdict in PSAC and NCAA Division II Super Region I wrestling on Friday night at Koehler Fieldhouse.

Mercyhurst fielded a lineup with seven regionally-ranked wrestlers, including the first five weight classes, and built a 15-0 lead through four bouts on the strength of three major decisions.

At 157, ESU's freshman Payne upset Owen Watkins, ranked No. 3 in the region, with a first-period pin in 2:23 - scoring the bout's first points with a takedown and eventually working for the fall. Payne moves to 6-5 on the season with his third straight win and first career fall.

Raccioppi, ranked No. 7 in DII at 165, went to the second period for a 3:27 pin of Gavin Wilkerson, after leading 6-2 with a 2:30 riding time advantage through the first period.

Raccioppi improves to 11-2, 7-0 vs. DII competition, and had his fourth fall and seventh bonus point win of the year.

At 174, freshman Dillon Warner won a 5-3 decision over Nick Konyk on the strength of a third-period reversal to tie the dual at 15-all. Warner improves to 2-0 after making his ESU debut last Saturday vs. West Liberty.

Senior Paul Rallis nearly pulled out a victory over Dakota DesLauriers at 184, but the Lakers 2015 All-America - who has wrestled sparingly the last two years - had a takedown with three seconds left for a 12-11 win in his first action of the season.

Mercyhurst won by technical fall in the final two weight classes to finish the night.

ESU continues PSAC dual action on Wednesday at Shippensburg, and hosts Gannon next Friday night at Koehler Fieldhouse.


Mercyhurst 28, ESU 15
125 - Eric Bartos (MU) maj. dec. Jair Hatch, 14-1; MU leads 4-0
133 - Aidan Burke (MU) dec. Francesco Palagruto, 5-1; MU leads 7-0
141 - Kevin Kinyua (MU) maj. dec. Peter Nace, 13-4; MU leads 11-0
149 - #10 Logan Grass (MU) maj. dec. Blake Cohen, 11-0; MU leads 15-0
157 - Marquan Payne (ESU) pinned Owen Watkins, 2:23; MU leads 15-6
165 - #7 Mike Raccioppi (ESU) pinned Gavin Wilkerson, 3:27; MU leads 15-12
174 - Dillon Warner (ESU) dec. Nick Konyk, 5-3; Tied 15-15
184 - Dakota DesLauriers (MU) dec. Paul Rallis, 12-11; MU leads 18-15
197 - #8 Wes Phipps (MU) tech. fall Daniel Makagon, 16-0 (4:11); MU leads 23-15
285 - Jacob Robb (MU) tech. fall Hunter Marhan, 15-0 (3:03); MU wins 28-15


SR1 Rankings
125 - #3 Bartos (MU)
133 - #8 Burke (MU)
141 - #8 Kinyua (MU)
149 - #1 Grass (MU)
157 - #3 Watkins (MU)
165 - #1 Raccioppi (ESU)
197 - #3 Phipps (MU)
285 - #6 Robb (MU)