Blue & White Results
133lbs:
At the 133lbs match, returning
sophomore starter Robert Ruiz of CT took on freshman Scott Stevens of PA. Ruiz
built a commanding 6-3 lead off of an assortment of takedowns in the first
period with Stevens scoring escapes. The
second period began on the mat for Ruiz who quickly reversed Stevens and built
up some more riding time. Stevens was finally
able to get an escape only to give up one more take down to end the period down
10-5. In the third period Stevens got a
quick escape and fought Ruiz hard on their feet but did surrender a final
takedown to end the match 12-7 in favor of Ruiz.
141lbs:
Returning NCAA qualifier Rick
Durso picked up where he left off defeating freshman Brandon Giovanetti 15-4 in
what was a solid showing for the true freshman from Ridgewood, NJ. Durso paired multiple takedowns with solid
defense and a tough top game, which he used to turn Giovanetti multiple times
to earn the major decision.
157lbs:
In one of the closest matches
of the day, lone senior and returning 4yr starter Eric Norgard took on newcomer
and local standout Rob King of Garden Spot, PA.
After a scoreless first period, Norgard rode King out the entire 2nd. After an early escape in the third period the
two deadlocked on their feet until Norgard scored a last second takedown,
showing that experience is always worth something in the sport of wrestling.
165lbs:
In another battle of old
school vs. new school Colin Lahiff a junior from Massachusetts tool on Colin
Gironda a freshman from Long Island, NY.
The match was a battle of hand fighting and half shots through the first
period ending in a 0-0 tie. Lahiff chose
bottom to start the 2nd and earned an escape to take the lead
1-0. With under a minute to go in the 2nd
Gironda got in on a nice single leg shot, finishing it for 2 on the edge of the
mat. A restart would help Gironda earn a
riding time advantage but Lahiff was able to manage a last second escape at the
end of the period, which would later prove costly for Gironda. In the 3rd Gironda chose bottom
and Lahiff was able to burn off any riding time advantage the rookie had earned
in the second period. With less than a
minute to go and the match tied at 2-2, Lahiff cut the freshman loose giving
GIronda a 3-2 lead and putting himself in a make or break situation. If he did not score a takedown he would have
given the match to Gironda on the free escape but if his plan worked out he
would have made the right decision to bring things back onto their feet. The two locked up in the middle of the mat as
the clock ticked down from :20s. :19,
:18, :17, BOOM!!! Lahiff dropped into a low leg single and Gironda quickly
scrambled to tie up the veteran grappler.
:10, :09, :08, Lahiff secured the other leg of Gironda and the referee
signaled for the takedown. “TWOOOOO!!!!” :04, :03, :02, :01 match over! Lahiff
wins 4-3 with a last second takedown in what will undoubtedly be the start of a
long rivalry between these two find grapplers.
174lbs:
At 174lbs sophomore, Adam
Schroeder of NJ wrestled Sophomore Brad Bailey of PA in the final round of the
174lbs weight class. Earlier in the day
Bailey had defeated freshman, Ekow Eshun of NYC, 10-0. The first period started with Schroeder
securing a quick 2pt takedown and 2pt near fall on Bailey. A game Bailey would come back with his own
reversal to end the first period on top but down 4-2 in the scoring. In the 2nd, Bailey chose bottom
and Schroeder quickly locked up a ¼ nelson and secured the only fall of the
day.
184/197lbs:
184lbs Sophomore Paul
Alessandrini wrestled 197lbs sophomore Isaiah Cromwell in an exhibition match between
these two weights. The match started out
with a lot of hand fighting, as both wrestlers were looking for upper body
ties. Cromwell was able to transition an
underhook to a double leg takedown for two points before the two wrestlers
rolled out of bounds. On the restart,
Alessandrini got a quick escape, but before he could settle into a rhythm
Cromwell hit another shot to a takedown to end the period. Both wrestlers exchanged ride outs in the 2nd
and 3rd periods, resulting in Cromwell winning the match 4-1.
285lbs:
In a match of the big boys,
returning 285lbs starter Alex Henry, a sophomore, took on a much smaller 230lbs
freshman and 2x FL state champ Chuckie Kerkesner. The match was the most exciting of the day
with the larger and more experienced Henry coming out on fire with a quick
double leg takedown. Kerkesner was able
to make it back to his feet for the escape and after some good hand fighting
from the freshman, Henry was warned for stalling to end the first period. In the 2nd, Kerkesner earned another
escape only to give up another double leg takedown to the massive Henry. After a quick escape followed by some
pummeling Henry secured his third and final takedown of the match. With more than a minute left on the clock,
Kerkesner earned his escape and quickly dropped into a sweep single on the hard
charging Henry. Kerkesner secured the
takedown near the out of bounds and started to build up riding time as the
period came to a close. Henry was able to earn an escape before the buzzer and
both men entered the 3rd period with Henry up 7-5. In the third period Henry chose down and
quickly got to his feet for the 1pt escape and the 8-5 lead. As the 3rd period wound down,
Kerkesner saw his opening and dropped into another one of his slick sweep
shots, turning the corner before Henry could counter. Kerkesner secured his two points for the
takedown and was able to hold onto the top position and ride out Henry for the
remainder of the period earning the riding time point necessary to send the
match into overtime tied 8-8. In the
sudden victory over time period the young wrestler from Florida showed a lot of
fight against the bigger and more experienced Henry, hand fighting and wearing
Henry down, forcing him into a bad shot to which Kerkesner countered for the
takedown and win 10-8. We look for BIG
things to come out of these two fine wrestlers and they will both contribute to
the success of the team this season!
