ADA, OHIO – Manchester University opened the NCAA Division III portion of its 2012-13 dual schedule with strong results Friday, Dec. 7.

Coach Matt Burlingame's Spartans, despite falling to 0-4, picked up four wins and kept things close with the No. 17-ranked Polar Bears throughout in a 30-15 final. Ohio Northern, improving to 5-1, used three straight falls from 184 to heavyweight to turn the tide.

MU held a 15-12 lead through 174 pounds. Freshman 174-pounder Toby Kirts (Nashville, Ind.) highlighted Manchester's night with a fall in 2:18 over ONU's Colt Lovejoy, while fellow freshmen Kalib Jackson (Rome City, Ind.) and Josh Juarez (South Bend, Ind.) joined senior Chuck Holmquest (Plymouth, Ind.) in earning decisions.

"Overall, I'm pleased with how we competed (tonight)," Burlingame said. "Each of our four wins was good to see, especially with Toby getting a fall after being on the bottom early, and Chuck rallying back for his decision."

Manchester University closes its pre-Christmas schedule by competing in the Midwest Classic Saturday, Dec. 15, at the University of Indianapolis' Nichoson Hall.

NOTES: Kirts' fall was made even more memorable as it was his first collegiate win. … Jackson's victory moved him just one shy of .500 for the season (3-4).

#17 OHIO NORTHERN 30, MANCHESTER 15
125 – Jerome Pasquale (O) dec. Taylor Hart, 10-4
133 – Kalib Jackson (M) dec. Jeremy Jones, 6-5
141 – Josh Juarez (M) dec. Cody Harting, 6-4
149 – Ryan Fowler (O) maj. Dec. Johnny Tullos, 13-3
157 – Chuck Holmquest (M) dec. Tyler Calton 4-2
165 – Tyler Gargano (O) won by tech. fall over Aaron Bullock, 4:47
174 – Toby Kirts (M) won by fall over Colt Lovejoy, 2:18
184 – Kyle Raber (O) won  by fall over Zach Kurtz, :24
197 – Michael Pawlitz (O) won by fall over Ray Wajda, :48
HWT – Cody Lovejoy (O) won by fall over Jason Pedigo, 2:33