March 4, 2006 - 4th at CAA's

March 4, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Wrestling
Rider 4th at CAA Championships, Sending 4 to Nationals
Cunliffe Champ, Maroney and Umbehauer Runners-up, Kessler 3rd, Morrison 4th

PHILADELPHIA, PA-The Rider University wrestling team placed fourth in the 11-team Colonial Athletic Association Championships, hosted by Drexel University, and will now send four wrestlers on to Nationals. "I’m excited about taking four qualifiers to nationals," said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. "I would have liked to get a fifth, we had a deserving one."

Sophomore Zack Cunliffe (Farmingdale/Howell), senior Joe Maroney (Bensalem, PA), sophomore Doug Umbehauer (Shamong/Lenape), and sophomore TJ Morrison (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff) are heading to Oklahoma City, OK to represent Rider at the 2006 NCAA Division I Nationals March 16-18.

Hofstra University, currently ranked 20th in the nation, won its fifth consecutive CAA Title.

Cunliffe, the second seed at 133, defeated the fourth seed, Ryan Williams of Old Dominion 6-5 in the championship bout. "Zack found different ways to win today," said associate head coach John Hangey.

Cunliffe won 1-0 over the third seed, Kyle McCarthy of Sacred Heart, in the semi-finals earlier on Saturday. "I felt great today," said Cunliffe. "A lot of hard work paid off today."

Cunliffe caught a break when the top seed, Zach Makovsky of Drexel, lost in the semi-finals to the fourth seed, Williams. "I thought Makovsky would get beat," Cunliffe said. "Williams looked tougher today. But it didn’t matter, I came in knowing I was going to win."

"Zack wrestled very smart this weekend," said Taylor. "He did what he needed to do to win. He’s had a good year for a young wrestler and he can get a lot better."

Maroney, the second seed at 184, won 4-2 over the sixth seed, Matt Moyer of George Mason in the semi-finals. In the finals, Maroney lost to the top seed, Joe Rovelli of Hofstra, 6-0. Maroney is making his first trip to nationals after his first CAA Championship. Maroney was a back-up his first two years and is graduating from Rider this spring in three years.

Umbehauer, the third seed at 174, upset the number two seed, Nick Kozar of Drexel, 6-5 on a tiebreaker in the semi-finals. In the finals Umbehauer lost 7-3 to the fifth ranked wrestler in the nation, Mike Patrovich of Hofstra. Umbehauer makes his first trip to Nationals.

Morrison, the second seed at 197, lost to the third seed, Chris Wedman of Hofstra 9-7 in sudden victory in the semi-finals. In the consolations, Morrison defeated the fifth seed, Joel Caruso of George Mason 12-3, before losing the battle for third place to the fourth seed, Jon Oplinger of Drexel, 6-5. Morrison goes to Nationals as a wild-card selection. Morrison placed third in the CAA Championships as a freshman and won a bout at the 2005 Nationals.

Freshman Mike Kessler (Randallstown, Md./Owings Mills), the second seed at 149, defeated the sixth seed, Nate Paterson of Binghamton, 9-3 for third place. Kessler was pinned by the sixth seed, Chris Renninger of Drexel, in the semi-finals (6:30). In the consolations, Kessler defeated Jeff Jacobs of James Madison 18-7 Saturday morning. "Kessler was winning 7-1 with a minute left and lost," said Taylor. "He showed this year he is one of the best in the conference."

Sophomore Ryan Smith (Olmstead Falls, OH/Olmstead Falls), the third seed at 125, lost 12-5 to the second seed and eventual champion, Dave Tomasette of Hofstra in the semi-finals.

Junior Ryan Cunningham (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill West), the fifth seed at 157, lost 4-2 to the top seed, James Strouse of Hofstra in the semi-finals. In the consolations, Cunningham lost to the sixth seed, Chris Wade of Binghamton 12-9.

Junior heavyweight Nick Ciufo (Pt. Pleasant) lost 6-2 in the second round of consolations to Jon Dolida of Old Dominion

Cunliffe will now lead the Broncs to Oklahoma City, OK for the 2006 NCAA Division I Nationals March 16-18. "This season has had a lot of ups and downs, but I’ve been wrestling well lately," said Cunliffe. "I just hope I haven’t peaked yet. I want to peak in two weeks. That is a whole different level out there, the elite. But there is no pressure on me, I’m going to celebrate by 21st birthday on the 18th, the final day of Nationals. It would be a nice way to celebrate my birthday by wrestling that day."

Team Standings: Hofstra 125, Old Dominion 76.5, Drexel 65, Rider 62, Sacred Heart 45, James Madison 38, George Mason 31.5, Boston U. 23.5, Binghamton 15, Wagner 5, Campbell 0.5

-RU-