GRANTHAM, Pa. -- The Bridgewater State University wrestling team was in action during day one of the prestigious Messiah Petrofes Invitational on Friday.
Sophomore Henry Oberlander (Mansfield, Mass.) was the only BSU grappler to advance to Saturday.
Oberlander went 2-0 competing out of the 184-pound weight class with a 3-2 decision over Garrett Boures of Ursinus College and a third period (5:27) pin of Sam Solomon of Alderson Broaddus University. Oberlander, who improved to 11-3 on the season, will take on Derek Beitz of host Messiah in the semifinals on Saturday. Oberlander lost to Beitz by fall earlier this season at the Roger Williams Invitational. Beitz was ranked seventh nationally in the most recent Intermat NCAA Division III Rankings at 184.
Senior Eric Kerr (Lynnfield, Mass.) posted a 3-2 record wrestling at 157. Kerr opened the meet with a 7-5 decision over Marc Larson of Gettysburg College. After dropping a 14-1 major decision to Noah Tarr of Thaddeus Stevens College, Kerr bounced back with a 12-4 major decision victory over Michael Dougan of Muhlenberg College. Following a 6-2 decision over Messiah's Matt Pangle, Kerr was eliminated with a 5-0 setback to Jacob Folk of Ursinus.
Freshmen Shawn Farrell (Raynham, Mass.), Riley Tufts (Medford, N.J.) and David MacNeil (Woburn, Mass.) all finished with two wins apiece competing out of their respective weight classes. Farrell at 125, Tufts at 157 and MacNeil at heavyweight.
The Bears are in 11th place in the team standings with 28.0 points after day one. Host Messiah leads all teams with 121.5 points.