The Edinboro University wrestling team opened its season on Saturday with three wins in the Fighting Scot Duals. The Fighting Scots, ranked 16th in the USA Today/NWCA/ InterMat Top 25, debuted with a 35-3 win over Mercyhurst, followed by a pair of come-from-behind wins, 21-15 over Army and 19-15 against Maryland.

Edinboro has now won 20 of 21 meets all-time in the Fighting Scot Duals, losing only to Purdue (18-16) in 2003. In addition, the Fighting Scots have now won 15 straight dual meets and 33 of their last 34.

The duals marked the debut of Gregor Gillespie at 157 lbs. The national champion at 149 lbs. a year ago, the junior was one of two Fighting Scots to win three matches. The other was Jarrod King, a transfer from Oklahoma who has stepped in as the starter at 165 lbs. Joey Fendone went 2-0 at heavyweight, while Eric Morrill won twice at 125 lbs., Ricky Deubel was a two-time winner at 133 lbs., with Phil Moricone (174 lbs.) and Pat Bradshaw (197 lbs.) also winning twice.

Edinboro had little trouble defeating Mercyhurst, winning nine of ten bouts. Moricone picked up a fall at 174 lbs., while Deubel (133 lbs.) and Torsten Gillespie (141 lbs.) won by technical fall. In one of the highlight bouts of the match, Gregor Gillespie, ranked number one at 157 lbs., won by major decision over Andy Lamancusa, 17-4. Lamancusa was an All-American a year ago and came in ranked fourth in Division II.

The Fighting Scots trailed Army, 12-3, after four matches, but then won five of the last six bouts. Leading 18-15, Fendone, ranked ninth at heavyweight, decisioned Nathan Thorbaben, a national qualifier a year ago, 9-2. Gillespie got the run started with a technical fall over Christian Snook, 17-0 (4:55). King added a major decision against John Drew, winning 11-1.

Edinboro needed a win from Fendone to avoid the upset against Maryland. The junior accommodated in impressive fashion, overcoming a 2-0 deficit after two periods to win by fall against Pat Gilmore at 6:50. The Fighting Scots were 15-13 entering the final bout. Gregor Gillespie came away with a 6-0 decision against Brian Letters. In the highlight match of the Edinboro-Maryland pairing, Terrapin Mike Letts, ranked seventh, decisioned Moricone, who is ranked 17th.

Edinboro is back in action next Sunday, November 11, competing in the Michigan State Open.