Ashland University Head Wrestling Coach Tim Dernlan is a small man who takes choppy steps.

   For the past week, however, he had been insisting that his team had a golden opportunity to take some major strides.

   Was this a case of “Little Man’s Syndrome?” – Hardly. Saturday night at Findlay, the Eagles defeated their second-ranked foe in as many nights, knocking out the Roughnecks, 19-15.

   All week, when asked about what was in store for the weekend, Dernlan talked about two wins. He frowned when asked about a split, or if he would be happy with the progress the Eagles had shown since October, even with a winless Friday and Saturday. Dernlan, in his third year at AU, saw this weekend as an opportunity to make a statement and no excuses would be acceptable.

   AU, now 10-2-1, downed the 15th-ranked Roughnecks 24 hours after the program’s first-ever win at 12th-ranked Pitt-Johnstown. The Eagles arrived back in Ashland from Pitt-Johnstown at 2:30 a.m. Saturday, then loaded up and trekked to Findlay at 3 p.m. 

   Against Findlay, the Eagles lost at 125 and 133 pounds. That also happened at UPJ, and a year ago, that might have guaranteed the Eagles lapsing into a tailspin. But this is a new year and an older, wiser AU lineup. Saturday’s turnaround began at 141 pounds, where senior Kyle Kanagadefeated Jan Ulinski, 6-3.

   Sophomore Dan Genetinfollowed Kanaga with a 10-2 major decision against Jeremy Espinoza at 149 and the Eagles were in front of Findlay, 7-6. At 157, junior Marc Hoffcontinued his silent but solid campaign with a 7-4 conquest of Adam Walter. Hoff is 13-5 and his victory gave the Eagles a 10-6 advantage.

   The next two bouts featured some interesting subplots. At 165, Findlay’s Michael Lybarger, ranked third in the nation, handed senior Brandon Kellyhis second loss of the season. Kelly is 12-2. At 174, AU sophomore Ryan Thatcherwas a 6-1 winner over Mason True. Thatcher began his college career at Findlay.

   Thatcher’s win gave the Eagles a 13-9 lead. UF rallied to win the next two weight classes by decision. The second win in that stretch was a 5-2 triumph by UF’s Dan Stevenson over AU freshman Corby Runningat 197. Stevenson is ranked seventh in NCAA Division II.

   Stevenson’s win put Findlay in front, bringing the score to 15-13 as they entered the evening’s final bout, the battle at 285. The final match featured Ashland’s Jacob Southwick, ranked sixth in the nation, and UF’s Matt Clum, who is ranked seventh. 

   At UPJ, the Eagles won the match when Southwick won by pin. It’s gotten to the point that fans hang around until the end of each match to see what Southwick does. Earlier this season against Purdue, the Eagles had no chance for a team victory, yet a healthy crowd at Kates Gymnasium roared when Southwick pinned his opponent.

   Southwick got another win at Findlay, defeating Clum by medical defeat. The Ashland junior is 24-2.

   The victory has the Eagles off and running like Edwin Moses in his prime. Hurdles? The Eagles take them in stride. Consider that, a year ago, the Eagles fell to Findlay by a 34-3 margin. Now, AU is 3-0-1 (the tie came against 14th-ranked Gannon) since losing to Purdue at the Wendy’s Big Classic Duals Jan. 15.

   AU will put that streak on the line this coming Friday (Feb. 4) when it hosts Mercyhurst. That will be Senior Night at Kates Gymnasium.