MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The Fairmont State wrestling team (10-11) fell to West Virginia (4-1) on Monday (Dec. 19) night at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, W.Va.

"I feel like we battled very hard tonight as a group," said head coach Gennaro Bonaventura. "I liked our effort and was proud of our guys for competing. I think we learned a lot tonight as a group. This was our last competition of the semester and I am excited to get back to work with our team when we get back in January."
 
In the 133 lbs bout, Austin Brett picked up the win after pinning his opponent in 34 seconds.
 
"I took a chance and it paid off big time," said Brett. "It was great seeing a lot of Fairmont State fans cheer after the win and it was a great atmosphere."
 
Brett, a redshirt freshman from Catasauqua, Pa., evened the match score at six after his win. The Mountaineers took the next two bouts via a fall and went up 18-6. WVU earned 10 points in the next two matches due to technical falls and increased the lead to 28-6. At 184 lbs, Austin Gibson battled and forced a decision in his match, coming up short 8-2. The Mountaineers earned 11 points in the final two decisions and took the match, 48-6.
 
The Fairmont State wrestling team will return to the mat in January and will open the new year at the Waynesburg Invitational on Jan. 7.