Bucknell University
American
Bucknell Wrestling Holds Off American for 19-17 Victory
2/15/2009 7:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Feb. 15, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sophomore Kevin LeValley (Hugo, Colo./Limon) posted his first career win over a ranked opponent and the Bucknell wrestling team utilized three bonus-point victories to hold off American and defeat the Eagles 19-17 Sunday afternoon at Bender Arena. The win was the 10th of the season for the Bison, marking the eighth time they have reached that plateau in program history.
David Marble (Harpursville, N.Y./Harpursville Central) and David Thompson (West Liberty, Ohio/Graham Local) posted major decisions for Bucknell at 133 and 184, respectively, while No. 13 Andy Rendos (Brockway, Pa./Brockway Area) earned a tech fall at 165.
The Bison won five of the first eight bouts to build a 19-9 advantage. American's Andrew Silber then defeated Nathan Jones at 197 by major decision, cutting the Bucknell lead to 19-13 and forcing the Bison to wrestle someone in the heavyweight class for just the second time in the last month. Rob Waltko (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny), who is listed as a 184-pounder and has been wrestling at 197 recently, lost by an 11-2 major decision to Quinton Pruett, but that preserved the tight victory for Bucknell (10-9, 4-3 EIWA).
LeValley, who entered the match 0-9 all-time against ranked opponents, helped the Bison build their early cushion when he defeated No. 12 Kyle Borshoff by a 4-1 decision at 149 pounds. It was the first win this year over a ranked opponent for a Bucknell wrestler other than two-time NCAA qualifiers Marble and Rendos. LeValley's upset gave the Bison a 10-3 lead and helped him keep pace with Marble for second on the team in duals victories (13).
Derek Reber (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area) got things started with a 5-2 decision over Thomas Williams at 125. He improved to 7-0 in EIWA duals this year, equaling Rendos for the best mark on the team. Additionally, it was his team-best 27th win of the season, putting him just two shy of joining Bucknell's single-season top-10 list.
Bucknell won three of the first three bouts, but then the two teams alternated wins at 157, 165, 174 and 184 with Thompson's 8-0 major decision over Andy Semple rounding out the individuals wins for Bucknell and staking the Bison to that 19-9 lead.
Shane Riccio (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills), who entered the day tied with Reber for the team lead in victories, drew the toughest assignment as he faced No. 2 Mike Cannon. Cannon posted a 6-0 decision over the 2008 NCAA qualifier.
Bucknell improved to 17-1-1 all-time against American (11-6, 4-2 EIWA) as posted its closest victory in two years. The Eagles, who entered the weekend 4-0 at Bender Arena this year, lost for the second time at home in less than 24 hours as they dropped a 26-11 decision to Maryland on Saturday night.
The Bison will close out their regular season this Friday, Feb. 20, when they travel to East Stroudsburg for a 7 p.m. match. Bucknell is in the midst of a season-ending three-match road trip.
Bucknell 19, American 17
*125: Derek Reber (B) dec. Thomas Williams (A), 5-2
133: David Marble (B) maj. dec. Jasen Borshoff (A), 14-5
141: Matt Mariacher (A) dec. Adam Healey (B), 9-5
149: Kevin LeValley (B) dec. No. 12 Kyle Borshoff (A), 4-1
157: Patrick Graham (A) dec. Scott Sechler (B), 5-4
165: No. 13 Andy Rendos (B) tech. fall Christopher Stout (A), 19-2 (6:19)
174: No. 2 Mike Cannon dec. Shane Riccio (B), 6-0
184: David Thompson (B) maj. dec. Andy Semple (A), 8-0
197: Andrew Silber (A) maj. dec. Nathan Jones (B), 16-3
HWT: Quinton Pruett maj. dec. Rob Waltko (B), 11-2
* starting weight
Team Records
Bucknell - 10-9, 4-3 EIWA
American - 11-6, 4-2 EIWA
