Junior wrestler Josh Shields made the Laker Nation proud by earning the Mercyhurst College wrestling program it’s first-ever National Championship. Shields, after making a name for himself during the regular season – compiling an impressive 29-3 record – went on to compete at the 2009 National Conference Athletic Association Division II National Championship. At 165 pounds, Shields stunned the audience as he became the 2009 Champion. He was the fourth Laker to reach the title match, but the only one to win. After losing in the state finals his senior year of high school, Shields told himself that the next time he was in the position to win a championship, he would. To earn the title, Shields defeated Aaron Denson of the University of Nebraska at Omaha in a 5-0 decision. Though not a major decision, Shields’ five-point margin was the largest of any championship match. With one year left at Mercyhurst, his wrestling future appears bright, and the Lakers are expecting big things from him again in the 2009-10 season. While Shields certainly got attention at Mercyhurst this year, there were other wrestlers who had successful seasons: junior Andy Lamancusa and senior Payne Lint earned All-American honors along with Shields. With the hard work of these and other team members, Mercyhurst was able to record one of their best years ever on the books.