Falling victim to two pins in the first three bouts, Appalachian State University wrestling could not climb itself back into the hunt, falling to Ohio 28-10 Saturday evening at Varsity Gym.

With the loss, the Mountaineers drop their first dual of the season, moving to 4-1 on the season. Ohio nabs its third victory of the year and evens its record at 3-3.

Bouts were tightly contested throughout the night, as four bouts were determined within four or fewer points, including two within just one point.

"We had a lot of positive things tonight," head coach JohnMark Bentley said. "We were in a couple of matches we lost and we could have made the overall score a little closer. As a young team, we are getting better every time we compete."

Leading the way for App State was redshirt sophomores Paul Weiss (197 pounds) and Dominic Parisi (125) and redshirt freshman Zack Strickland (165). Parisi headlines the trio earning a 13-4 major decision over Ohio's KeVon Powell.

Parisi and Strickland remain perfect in dual-meets for the season, both improving to 5-0. Weiss was also perfect for the week, tallying a 4-3 decision at 197 pounds.

"Parisi was terrific tonight," Bentley said. "Strickland also wrestled well, defeating a quality opponent and coming from behind to do it."

The Mountaineers will take some time away from the mats and return on Jan. 1 for the two-day, Southern Scuffle, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Twenty-two teams are projected to be in this year's tournament, including tonight's opponent, Ohio.

Ohio 28, Appalachian State 10

184: Ryan Garringer (OU) pinned Jesse Johnson (APP), (1:34) (OU 6-0)

197: Paul Weiss (APP) dec. Phil Wellington (OU), 4-3 (OU 6-3)

HWT: Jeremy Johnson (OU) pinned Joe Cummings (APP), (1:53) (OU 12-3)

125: Dominic Parisi (APP) maj. dec. KeVon Powell (OU), 13-4 (OU 12-7)

133: Joe Munos (OU) dec. Brett Boston (APP), 8-5 (OU 15-7)

141: Kagan Squire (OU) dec. Chris Johnson (APP), 6-5 (OU 18-7)

149: Andrew Romanchik (OU) dec. Riley Keen (APP) 8-2 (OU 21-7)

157: Spartak Chino (OU) maj. dec. Collins Creech (APP), 20-9 (OU 25-7)

165: Zack Strickland (APP) dec. Harrison Hightower (OU) 6-2 (OU 25-10)

174: Cody Walters (OU) dec. Colin Hedash (APP), 8-1 (OU 28-10)

184 - Garringer (OU) pinned Je. Johnson (1:26)

After Johnson went behind early, the sophomore responded with a two-point takedown with two minutes remaining in the period. Garringer responded by turning Johnson and earned the fall at the 1:34 mark.

197 - Weiss dec. Wellington, 4-3

Weiss took a 2-0 lead into the second period, but with an early escape and a takedown, Wellington grabbed a 3-2 lead. With just nine seconds left in the period, Weiss drew the score even with an escape, making the tally 3-3 heading into the final period. Weiss added an escape within the first 13 seconds and held on to the 4-3 decision.

HWT: Jer. Johnson pinned Cummings, (1:53)

Johnson jumped out to an early 2-0 before controlling the bout. Cummings tried several counters, but fell to No. 17 ranked, Johnson, at the 1:53 mark.

125 - Parisi maj. dec. Powell 13-4

Parisi looked to end the bout early with three near-fall points with four seconds remaining in the opening period. Parisi controlled throughout, extending his largest lead to 10-1 in the second period. Powell added an escape and a takedown, but Parisi was too much, earning a late takedown to improve his overall record to 14-2 this season.

133 - Munos dec. Boston 8-5

Boston struggled early, falling behind 6-3 after the second period. The senior tried to fight himself back into the match, but a late takedown by Munos propelled him to an 8-5 decision.

141 - Squire dec. C. Johnson 6-5

After going down 6-3 after two periods, Johnson earned an escape just four seconds into the third period. Looking for a takedown to even the score, Appalachian coaches pleaded for stall points due to Squire's backpedaling. A stall point was awarded to Johnson with just six seconds left and Squire held on for the 6-5 decision.

149 - Romanchik dec. Keen 8-2

Keen was unable to find any answers for Romanchik until getting on the scoreboard with five seconds left in the second period and faced a 6-2 deficit heading into the final period. Romanchik was able to add another takedown, capping the 8-2 decision.

157 - Chino maj. dec. Creech 20-9

In the highest scoring bout of the night, Creech made it 6-5 early in the opening round. Creech earned four more escapes points, but could not find much offense against Chino, falling 20-9.

165 - Strickland dec. Hightower 6-2

After facing a 2-0 deficit early in the first period, Strickland closed out the opening period with a reversal to even the score heading into the second. Earning his second reversal just 14 seconds into the second period, Strickland took a 4-2 lead.  The redshirt freshman found some offense with under a minute left in the second period, earning two near-fall points to close out the second period. Strickland went conservative in the final period, ending the bout with a 6-2 decision and remaining perfect for the dual season.

174 - Walters dec. Hedash 8-1

Hedash could not find his rhythm against Walters, finding himself on the defensive side for most of the bout. Walters remained perfect for the season, moving to 13-0 after his 8-1 decision. For Hedash, it was his first loss of the dual season.