November 20, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Wrestling

Rider 6th at Keystone Classic
Morrison, Umbehauer Champions

Despite not competing in two weight classes, the Broncs placed sixth of 10 teams at the Keystone Classic. “The young kids got experience,” said head coach Gary Taylor.  “We had a freshman and a sophomore come home champions, so that says a lot for this year and for the future.”

Morrison, the top seed at 197, pinned Patrick Keenum of Duke in 5:08 in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals against the fifth seed, Leo Saniuk of Brown, Morrison won by fall in 1:30. In the finals, Morrison defeated Paul Velekei of Penn 2-0. “T. J. is still improving on a weekly basis, making good adjustments,” said Taylor.  “He’s working real hard. As far as bloodlines, there sure looks like there is something to it. His dad reached high levels by being very competitive. T. J. grew up learning what it takes to be good.”

“One of my goals is to do better than my dad did,” said Morrison. “I try to accomplish more than he did, although that’s a lot to accomplish.”  Morrison had two pins on Sunday.  “I try to get them (pins),” said Morrison.  “I didn’t have as many as I wanted last year, but if I get the cradle locked up I can get them.” The cradle is the patented move that father Tim and uncle Dan both used in their outstanding collegiate careers. “I was kind of brought up on it,” said T.J.

Umbehauer, the top seed at 174, defeated Jason Gorman of Boston U. 8-0 in the first round, and defeated the eighth seed, Turner Rooney of Duke 15-5 in the quarter-finals.  In the semi-finals against the fourth seed, Neal Martin of Appalachian State, Umbehauer won 5-0, and in the finals, Umbehauer defeated Lior Zamir of Penn 3-2. “Umbehauer is a tough kid,” said Taylor. “There was no surprise when he won.  He still has a lot to learn, but he is very competitive.”

Sophomore Ryan Smith  (Olmsted Falls, Ohio/Olmsted Falls), the top seed at 125, placed fourth.  Smith pinned Andrew Valenti of Penn in 1:28 in the first round, and defeated Nate Myers of Brown 6-2 in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals against the #4 seed, Anthony Burke of Virginia, Smith lost 9-4. Smith pinned Valenti in the consolations in :50, before losing in the battle for third place to the third seed, Jeff Schell of Brown, 6-3.

Sophomore Zack Cunliffe (Farmingdale, N.J./Howell) placed fifth at 133 pounds.  Cunliffe defeated Brandon Stillo of VMI 5-0 in the first round, and defeated the fourth seed, Dan Appelo of Brown 4-0 in the quarter-finals.  In the semi-finals against the top seed, ninth ranked Matt Valenti of Penn, Cunliffe lost 2-0. In the consolations, Cunliffe defeated the seventh seed, Tyler Anthony of VMI.

Junior Ryan Cunningham (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill West), the sixth seed at 165, placed sixth, winning three bouts.

Sophomore Michael Palma (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Jefferson), the fifth seed at 149, defeated Danny Artusio of Virginia 7-1 in the first round, before losing to the fourth seed, Mike Roberts of Boston U. 11-4 in the quarter-finals.  In the consolations, Palma defeated Rider freshman Michael Kessler(Randallstown, Md./Owings Mills), who was wrestling unattached, 4-3, before losing to Tim Smith of Brown, 3-1.

Sophomore Tyler Rees (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern Regional), the top seeded heavyweight, defeated Eric Olson of VMI 4-2 in the first round, before losing in the quarter-finals to Jayson Bowlsby of Penn by forfeit.

Junior Joe Maroney (Bensalem, PA), the fifth seed at 165 wrestling unattached, defeated Jesse Hills of VMI 10-3 in the first round, before losing to the fourth seed, Zak Johns of Boston U. 3-2 in the quarter-finals.  In the consolations, Maroney defeated Aaron Glover of Duke 7-3, before losing to Colin Hitschler of Penn 4-1.

Freshman Tim McGoldrick (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall), the fifth seed at 141, defeated Jochen Granja of VMI 6-2 in the first round, and defeated Vince Cina of Penn 7-2, before losing to the fourth seed, Joey Whittaker of Brown 5-2 in the quarter-finals.  In the consolations, McGoldrick lost to Nick Alparone of Virginia 9-6.

“We didn’t have anyone in two weight classes, that’s 20 percent of the production right there, and normally those two weight classes, 157 and 184, are two of our stronger ones, ones we usually do well in,” said Taylor of Rider’s sixth place finish.

Team standings: Penn 151, Virginia 109.5, American 100.5, Appalachian State 79.5, Boston U. 76.5, Rider 72, Brown 62.5, Duke 42, Virginia Military 32, Wagner 4.5

Rider wrestles again at Lock Haven’s Mat Town USA tournament November 26.

-RU-