Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Franklin & Marshall
Bucknell Wrestling Downs Franklin & Marshall, 41-6
12/4/2007 7:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 4, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell wrestling team wrapped up the fall semester by extending its winning streak to three straight duals as the Bison downed Franklin & Marshall, 41-6, in Davis Gym on Tuesday evening. With the victory, Bucknell improves to 3-4 (1-1 EIWA), while the Diplomats fall to 2-2 (0-2 EIWA).
Freshman José Matos (Williamstown, N.J./St. Augustine) started things off on a thrilling note for the Orange and Blue, winning in overtime, 6-4, over Jake Bucha in the 125-pound bout. Matos trailed 2-1 after the first period, but escaped in the second to tie the score at two. Then in the third, Matos scored a go-ahead takedown with 16 seconds remaining in the match, but Bucha escaped with seven ticks on the clock to force the extra period. Then in overtime, Matos took down Bucha at the buzzer to record the victory and put Bucknell out to a 3-0 advantage.
Then 133-pound sophomore David Marble (Harpursville, N.Y./Harpursville Central) increased the Bison lead to 9-0 by pinning Stephen Sabeen in 5:44.
Following a forfeit at 141 by Franklin & Marshall, freshman Kevin LeValley (Hugo, Colo./Limon) posted a 5-0 decision against Al Gianforti at 149, scoring all five points in the third period.
In the 157-pound bout, freshman Ryan Ochalek (Oil City Pa./Oil City) edged Anthony Bongarzone, 6-5, and sophomore Andy Rendos (Brockway, Pa./Brockway Area), ranked No. 19 in the latest Intermat/NWCA/NWMA Individual Rankings, clinched the meet victory for the Orange and Blue with a 20-3 technical fall over Nino San Doval at 165.
Justin Herbert spoiled Bucknell's shutout by pinning freshman Rob Waltko (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) in the 174-pound match-up, but freshman David Thompson (West Liberty, Ohio/Graham Local) responded with a fall for the Bison at 184, in 2:40 against Dan Canfield.
The Diplomats forfeited at 197 and sophomore heavyweight George Hingson (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) closed out the evening with a 6-3 decision for Bucknell versus Nico Somers.
The Bison will return to the mat in exactly one month on Jan. 4 when the squad will travel to Columbia, Mo., for a dual-meet against Missouri that is scheduled for 8 p.m.
