Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Columbia
Wrestling Wins Fourth Straight, Downs Columbia 29-12
1/23/2015 9:24:00 PM | Wrestling
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Joe Stolfi recorded his 14th pin of the season and Bucknell was dominate in winning seven of 10 bouts in a 29-12 victory over Columbia Friday evening at Davis Gym. It was the fourth consecutive win for the Bison, who are now 4-0 at home this season.
Bucknell (9-3, 3-0 EIWA) won the first four bouts of the match and concluded with three straight wins, capped by Stolfi's pin of Garrett Ryan in 6:38. It was Stolfi's team-best 14th pin of the season and the 46th of his career to move him into a tie for second place on the program's all-time list with Ken Herceg. Stolfi is now 27-5 this year as he dominated the bout, building a 10-2 advantage before the pin.
The Bison opened up a commanding 16-0 lead by winning the first bouts of the match. Paul Petrov opened with a comeback 5-4 victory over Johnson Mai. He trailed 4-1 at the end of the first period and needed the riding time point to record his 17th win of the season.
Grim Gonzalez followed with his third pin of the year at 133 pounds. The sophomore had built a 9-6 lead against Angelo Amenta and then quickly pinned him with 24 seconds remaining in the third period.
“We knew Grim might have been a slight favorite, but it was likely a toss-up match,” commented Bucknell head coach Dan Wirnsberger. “He wrestled an outstanding match and did great with his leg attacks. It was great to see him win in the third period.”
Freshman Tyler Smith followed with a strong 13-5 major decision at 141 pounds. He had two first-period takedowns and led 8-3 at the end of the second period. A takedown with 20 seconds left and the riding time point helped him post his fifth major of the season.
Victor Lopez made it four wins in a row for Bison grapplers with a 4-3 decision at 149 against Connor Sutton.
Columbia (2-2, 0-1 EIWA) got on the board when No. 20 Markus Scheidel posted a 7-4 decision against Rustin Barrick at 157 pounds. It was the first of three straight victories for the Lions, who received a pin from Shane Hughes at 174 pounds after Bucknell's Brenan McAllister, who is wrestling up a weight class, used some injury time in the first period and appeared hobbled.
With Columbia within 16-12 on the scoreboard, Tom Sleigh got the Bison back on the winning side with a dominating 11-3 major decision at 184 pounds. The freshman scored five points in the final period and accumulated 2:58 in riding time as he won for the fourth straight time.
Senior Tyler Lyster clinched the outcome of the match for Bucknell with a convincing 8-3 decision at 197 over Matt Idelson. Lyster totaled 4:38 in riding time on his way to the victory.
Stolfi then concluded the victory with his pin of Ryan. It was the fourth bonus-point victory for the Bison.
Bucknell, which is ranked 23rd nationally this week, is just one win shy of equaling its win total from all of 2013-14.
The Bison will depart Saturday afternoon for two Sunday matches in New England. Bucknell will wrestle at Harvard Sunday at noon and then travel to Brown for a 4 p.m. match.
No. 23 Bucknell 29, Columbia 12
125: No. 14 Paul Petrov (B) dec. Johnson Mai (C), 5-4.
133: Grim Gonzalez (B) pinned Angelo Amenta (C), 6:36.
141: Tyler Smith (B) maj. dec. Ryan Ponte (C), 13-5.
149: Victor Lopez (B) dec. Connor Sutton (C), 4-3.
157: No. 20 Markus Scheidel (C) dec. Rustin Barrick (B), 7-4.
165: Tyrel White (C) dec. Robert Schlitt (B), 5-2.
174: Shane Hughes (C) pinned Brenan McAllister (B), 4:36.
184: Tom Sleigh (B) maj. dec. Zack Hernandez (C), 11-3.
197: Tyler Lyster (B) dec. Matt Idelson (C), 8-3.
285: No. 15 Joe Stolfi (B) pinned Garrett Ryan (C), 6:38.
Players Mentioned
