Indiana Claims Four Championships at LHU Classic

Tuesday, December 29

Lock Haven, Pa.

All Day

Indiana University

LHU Classic

Indiana Claims Four Championships at LHU Classic

12/29/2015 7:40:00 PM | Wrestling

Weaver, Blanton earn third place finishes; Hoosiers take second-best team score

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Indiana wrestling team competed in their final regular season tournament on Tuesday at the LHU Classic, hosted by Lock Haven University. The Hoosiers finished in second place as a team and boasted six podium finishes.

LHU Classic • Lock Haven, Pa.
December 29, 2015 • Thomas Fieldhouse

IU Podium Finishes	Team Results (Score)
125 lbs. – Elijah Oliver – Champion	1. Pittsburgh (94.5)
157 lbs. – Jake Danishek – Champion	2. Indiana (88)
165 lbs. – Bryce Martin – Champion	3. Lock Haven (78.5)
174 lbs. – #9 Nate Jackson – Champion	4. Bucknell (58)
141 lbs. – Cole Weaver – Third Place	5. Kent State (54.5)
149 lbs. – Luke Blanton – Third Place	6. Hofstra (43.5)
	7. George Mason (35.5)
	8. Binghamton (23.5)
	9. Clarion (16.5)
	10. Messiah (8)

Hoosier freshman Elijah Oliver snagged his second tournament championship of the season in thrilling fashion. Oliver picked up a 23-7 tech fall in the first round, followed by a 14-4 major decision in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals, Oliver faced a rematch against Pittsburgh's Jake Gromacki in the semifinals; a matchup Oliver took 12-1 in the last meeting. Oliver won again, this time in a tight 5-2 decision to advance to the championship. In the championship bout, Oliver took a narrow 5-4 decision over Pittsburgh's LJ Bentley.

Heading into the upcoming Big Ten dual competition, Oliver has a 21-4 record with 8 major decisions, three tech falls, and three pins.

Nate Jackson continued his strong start to the 2015-16 campaign with a LHU Classic Championship. The ninth-ranked Hoosier began the day as the top seed in the 174 lbs. bracket, and proved his seeding with a 5-0 run to the top of the podium. Jackson opened with two major decisions, followed by a quarterfinals pin in 2:03 and a major decision in the semifinals.

Like Oliver, Jackson faced a familiar foe in the championship bout, Pittsburgh's Te'Sean Campbell. In their last meeting, Jackson took a 7-4 decision on his way to a Keystone Classic championship. This time around, Jackson earned a 7-3 decision win for the LHU Classic title.

Jackson now has four podium finishes in as many tournaments this season, including his championship wins at the Keystone Classic and the LHU Classic. He has reached the championship bout in all four of his tournament appearances.

Freshman Jake Danishek followed his strong 4-2 outing at the Reno Tournament of Champions with a championship win at Lock Haven. Danishek opened with two major decisions on his way to a semifinal showdown against Lock Haven's Aaron McKinney, which he took in a 7-3 decision. In the championship bout, Danishek locked up with Binghamton's Vincent Deprez and emerged with a 9-8 decision victory.

In the 165 lbs. bracket, Indiana freshman Bryce Martin won his second tournament championship of his collegiate career. Martin battled for four decision wins, culminating in a 6-4 win over Kent State's Jariod James.

In addition to the four champions, two Hoosiers earned third-place finishes due to strong showings in the wrestle-backs. At 141 lbs., Cole Weaver dropped a decision in the semifinal round against Pittsburgh's Mikey Racciato. He returned with two decision wins, including a third-place bout win over Tejon Anthony (George Mason).

Luke Blanton (So. 149) earned a tech fall and a decision to enter the semifinal bout against Bucknell's Victor Lopez. Lopez took the win, but Blanton responded with a major decision in the consolation semifinals and a 9-4 decision over Hofstra's Kyle Krasavage for third place.

Up Next: #20/19 Indiana vs. #1 Penn State
Sunday, January 10 | 1PM | BTN Plus
Bloomington, Ind. | University Gymnasium

The Hoosiers are unbeaten in dual competition this season, highlighted by a 19-18 win over #21 Minnesota (12/11). They'll face their toughest challenge yet when they host the top-ranked, unbeaten Penn State Nittany Lions. The dual against Penn State will be the first in a two-dual home stand against Big Ten competition. Admission is free to the public, and fans can follow the action via BTN Plus.