Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Maryland
Bucknell Wrestling Victorious in First Dual Since Re-Instatement
11/11/2006 7:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 11, 2006
Results vs. Maryland
Results vs. Drexel
Results vs. James Madison
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - In its first dual since the program's reinstatement, the Bucknell wrestling squad came from behind with wins in its final three bouts to defeat Maryland, 27-14, at Drexel's Daskalakas Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon. The Bison fell to Drexel, 26-10, in their second dual of the day and wrapped up the quad meet with a 24-9 triumph over James Madison.
"We're extremely excited about picking up our first win with the victory over Maryland," said Bucknell head coach Dan Wirnsberger. "It was a wonderful surprise considering we didn't know what to expect with a lineup of all true freshmen. We're clearly a lot further along in our development than we thought and hopefully we will continue to improve as the season progresses."
The Orange and Blue trailed 14-12, heading into George Mann's (Orange, Ohio/Orange) match against Rich DiPietro at 184. Bucknell had briefly held the advantage following Andy Rendos' (Brockway, Pa./Brockway Area) 3-2 overtime decision over Jason Kiessling at 165, but the Bison lead was erased when the Terapins' Mike Letts won by major decision, 11-2, at 174 against Shane Riccio (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills).
Mann responded with a 6-4 decision over DiPietro and Eric Lapotsky (Mount Carmel, Pa./Mount Carmel Area) clinched Bucknell's first dual victory since 2001 by pinning Hudson Taylor 1:05 into the bout between the 197-pounders. Bison heavyweight George Hingson (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) then followed up with a pin of his own at 6:59 against Jerry Afari to close out the contest.
Against Drexel, David Marble (Harpursville, N.Y./Harpursville Area), Michael Guttilla (Ingamer, Pa./Blair Academy) and Rendos posted wins for the Bison at 133, 149 and 165, respectively. Marble and Guttilla finished the day with 2-1 records, while Rendos went 3-0, including a 17-0 technical fall against Jon Divello of James Madison.
In Bucknell's matchup with JMU, the Orange and Blue won six out of the first seven bouts against the Dukes to build a 21-3 advantage, capped off by a 15-3 major decision by Riccio over Kwaku Dunflour-Dunkor at 174, on the way to the 24-9 result.
The Bison return to action next Saturday, Nov. 18, when the team will travel to Annapolis, Md., for the Navy Classic.
