Bucknell University Athletics
Wrestling's Alex Pellicciotti Named Bison Athlete of the Week
11/11/2013 6:04:00 PM | Wrestling
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell wrestling team upended No. 22 Lehigh by an 18-17 score Saturday evening at Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall and perhaps the Bison's biggest win on the head-turning night belonged to junior Alex Pellicciotti (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown Area), who defeated No. 19-ranked Mitch Minotti at 149 pounds. For his performance, Pellicciotti was named the Bison Athlete of the Week for the first time in his career.
Pellicciotti, who improved to 2-1 on the season with a 5-4 decision over Minotti, earned his first career win over a ranked opponent. His victory brought the Bison to within 7-6 in the team score, and it was the second of five individual victories for Bucknell wrestlers in the match.
A first-period takedown and two-point near fall staked Pellicciotti to an early lead against Minotti, and a third-period escape proved to be the difference in the bout.
Pellicciotti, who sat out the 2012-13 season, is now 23-26 in his career with 12 victories for bonus points. He owns a 7-4 mark in EIWA duals while wrestling at 133, 141 and 149 throughout his career.
Bucknell's (2-1, 1-0 EIWA) win over nationally ranked Lehigh marked its first victory in 10 all-time meetings between the schools. It was the first win over a ranked opponent for the Bison since defeating No. 25 Columbia in 2006-07.
Bucknell will continue its difficult early season schedule this Sunday, Nov. 17, when it wrestles at Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Both squads were ranked in the top five nationally last week.
Watch Alex Pellicciotti vs. Mitch Minotti:
