The Oswego State wrestling team kicked off the second half of the 2008-09 season at the 20-team Budd Whitehill Division III National Duals hosted by Lycoming College.  The Lakers opened the two-day event with a 37-3 loss to top seed University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, followed by a close 23-27 defeat to King's College in the consolation bracket.

In the match against Whitewater, ranked fifth in the latest BRUTE/ADIDAS National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Rankings, Freshman Blake Fisher (Seaford) was the lone victor for the Lakers, posting a 4-1 win at 149 pounds.  Against King's College in the second match, each team registered five victories, but the Monarchs registered a pair of technical fall, and a major decision in scoring additional team points.

The Lakers received decisions from freshman Scott McGregor at 125 pounds (7-6), senior Derrick Smith (Mexico) at 141 pounds (7-2), and Fisher at 149 (6-0), while sophomore Joel Ford (Sterling/Red Creek, 10-0 at 197 pounds) and junior Eric Leusch (Rochester/Irondequoit, 9-1 at 285 pounds) scored major decisions.

Oswego continues tournament action on Saturday with a pair of challenge matches, opening with a 10:30 a.m. match with Norwich University.

CLICK FOR FULL TOURNAMENT RESULTS FROM BUDD WHITEHILL DIVISION III NATIONAL DUALS