Bucknell University Athletics
Shane Riccio Named Damon's Bison Athlete of the Week
1/12/2009 7:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 12, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell's Shane Riccio (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills), a member of the wrestling team, was named the first Damon's Bison Athlete of the 2009 calendar year on Monday. The junior posted a perfect 3-0 mark at the Virginia Duals this past weekend.
The only Bucknell wrestler to go 3-0 last week, Riccio defeated his three opponents by a combined 19-2 score with a pair of shutouts. The 2008 NCAA qualifier is now 21-11 this season and 63-33 in his career. His 21 wins rank second on the Bison, while his 63 career victories place him in a tie for 11th in program history with Ron Wellman.
Riccio, who wrestles in the 174-pound weight class, opened the Virginia Duals with a 4-0 decision over Kent State's Chris Estep last Friday morning. He followed that afternoon with an 8-0 major decision against Ohio's Nick Purdue. Riccio wrapped up the weekend with a 7-2 win against Navy's Mike Billings on Saturday. That victory staked the Bison to a 12-9 lead over the Mids, but Navy claimed the final three bouts for an 18-12 win.
Riccio has now won six consecutive matches and is 9-2 over his last 11 bouts. He is the second wrestler to earn Damon's Bison Athlete of the Week, following classmate Andy Rendos (Brockway, Pa./Brockway Area), who was honored after defeating the nation's top-ranked wrestler at 165 pounds in November.
As a team, Bucknell (6-6) went 1-2 at the Virginia Duals. The Bison split on the first day, losing to No. 24 Kent State (22-10) and defeating Ohio (22-13). Bucknell then dropped the close match to EIWA foe Navy in the consolation bracket.
The Bison and Riccio will head back on the road this Saturday, Jan. 17, when they wrestle at Brown in an EIWA match. The dual will begin at 7 p.m. in Providence, R.I. Bucknell returns home the following weekend to host Liberty and Old Dominion.
