Bucknell University Athletics
Wrestling Heads to Las Vegas
12/4/2014 11:23:00 AM | Wrestling
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell wrestling team has eased into the 2014-15 season with just two official events (dual at Pittsburgh, at Navy Classic) in the month of November. The Bison will return to the mats this weekend when they travel to the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, which will take place Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
A total of 39 teams will be in action at the Cliff Keen Invitational, which is now in its 33rd year.
Bucknell is making its first trip to the Cliff Keen Invitational since 2009-10. The Bison placed 12th of 42 teams that year with David Marble, Kevin LeValley and Andy Rendos finishing in the top six of their respective weight classes.
Nine Bison grapplers are expected to be in action during this year's two-day event with representatives at every weight class but 174 pounds. 2014 NCAA qualifiers Paul Petrov (125 pounds) and Joe Stolfi (285) appear in the national rankings this week and are a combined 15-2 this season.
A number of Bison wrestlers have competed unattached in events this season, leading to a number of impressive victory totals. Freshman Tom Sleigh leads the squad with 11 wins this season, while Stolfi and Tyler Lyster have also reached double figures with 10 victories apiece.
Bucknell opened its season with a Nov. 8 dual at Pittsburgh and fell by a 22-11 score to the nationally ranked Panthers. The Bison then wrestled at the Navy Classic two weeks ago and finished in seventh place in the 13-team field. Petrov, Stolfi, Lyster and Tyler Smith were placewinners.
The Bison will take two more weeks off from competition following their trip to Las Vegas. Semester-ending final exams will take place during that time. Bucknell will return to the mat Dec. 20 when it hosts Virginia at Davis Gym. Start time is 2 p.m. It will be the start of a busy 24-hour span for the Bison, who will wrestle against Davidson (10 a.m.) and Hofstra (12 p.m.) at the Grapple at the Garden the very next day.
Bucknell Projected Lineup
125: No. 15 Paul Petrov (5-0)
133: Grim Gonzalez (2-1)
141: Collin Boylan (4-8)
149: Victor Lopez (7-3)
157: Rustin Barrick (3-2)
165: Robert Schlitt (2-5)
174: N/A
184: Tom Sleigh (11-6)
197: Tyler Lyster (10-7)
285: No. 19 Joe Stolfi (10-2)
33rd Annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational
Friday, Dec. 5 - Saturday, Dec. 6 • Las Vegas Convention Center • Las Vegas, Nev.
Event Information: CKLVwrestle.com
Live Video Streaming: Flowrestling.org
Schedule of Events (all times eastern)
Friday, Dec. 5
12 p.m.: Pigtail Round, Round 1, Round 2, Consolation Pigtails & Consolation Round 1
9 p.m.: Quarterfinals & Consolation Round 2 & 3
Saturday, Dec. 6
12 p.m.: Consolation Round 4
1 p.m.: Semifinals and Consolation Round 5, Consolation Semifinals, Consolation Finals (5th & 6th, 7th & 8th)
6 p.m.: Championship Finals (1st & 2nd, 3rd & 4th)
Players Mentioned
