The Ashland Eagles wrestling team fought a hard pressed dual against rival Findlay University Friday night at Kates Gymnasium but would fall to the score of 19-18.

The final score was tied 18-18 at the end of 10 matches, the Roughnecks gained an additional tie breaker point due Findlay having more fall decisions than Ashland.

The Eagles started off the dual with a victory from Sebastian Vitika (125) in his decision over Schuyler Phillips (UF), 7-1

Redshirt senior Michael Labry (133) continued his winning ways and maintained his No.1 national ranking with his major decision over Devin Rogers (UF), 13-2.

Redshirt juniors Jordan Murphy (184) and Luke Cramer (197) also won their matches by major decision.

Colton Ullman provided excitement with his last minute come from behind victory at 157 pounds.  With less than a minute remaining Ullman was down 3-2, but escaped James Wimer (UF) for one point and quickly took him down before the final buzzer for the 5-3 victory.

Unfortunately the efforts of the Eagle Wrestling squad as a whole were not enough for coach Josh Hutchins’ squad as this is the second year in a row in which his team fell to Findlay via tie breaker.

“Losing to those guys in a tie two years in a row is a dagger in my heart,” AU head coach Josh Hutchens said. “That’s the worst thing that you can have.”

“It’s a match we should have won,” Hutchens said. “We had a couple guys that went out, pushed real hard and did what they needed to do, but there were a lot of guys that didn’t get it done.”

Next up for the AU wrestling squad will travel to take on Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponent No. 10 Tiffin on Wednesday (Feb. 8) at 7 p.m. in a dual that can play a vital role in determining the seeding of the regional tournament.