Bucknell University Athletics
Andy Rendos Earns Damon's Bison Athlete of the Week Award After Runner-Up Finish at EIWA Championships
3/9/2009 8:00:00 AM | Wrestling
March 9, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell junior wrestler Andy Rendos (Brockway, Pa./Brockway Area) was named Damon's Bison Athlete of the Week for the second time this year on Monday. The three-time NCAA qualifier finished second at the EIWA Championships in the 165-pound weight class this past weekend after advancing to the EIWA championship match for the first time. Additionally, his performance helped the Bison tie for third in the team standings, marking the best showing in program history.
Rendos, who was seeded second, breezed through to the finals, winning his three bouts by a combined 29-2 score. He then lost to unbeaten and national No. 1 Mack Lewnes of Cornell by a tight 5-3 decision in the final. It was a 2-2 deadlock after two periods, but Lewnes scored a reversal to go up 4-2. Rendos escaped to make it 4-3 and needed a late takedown to tie (Lewnes had the riding time point), but could not connect. Lewnes improved to 35-0 with the win.
Rendos, who defeated then-No. 1 Nick Marable of Missouri in November, earned an automatic berth to the NCAAs thanks to his runner-up finish. He advanced to the NCAAs in 2007 and 2008, posting one win each year.
With a 28-6 record this year, Rendos now has an 83-23 career mark, placing him sixth in Bucknell history in wins. His career winning percentage (.783) also ranks sixth in program history. Rendos is also among the Bison all-time leaders in pins with 19.
This is the fourth time Rendos has been honored with the Bison Athlete of the Week award in his career.
Rendos will not be going to the NCAAs alone, as teammates Derek Reber (125), David Marble (133), Kevin LeValley (149) and Shane Riccio (174) will be joining him. Additionally, two others will be up for at-large bids, which will be announced later this week. The five wrestlers earning bids to the NCAA Championship equals a program record.
The NCAA Championships will be held March 19-21 in St. Louis, Mo.
