March 13, 2006 - Broncs add 5th National Qualifier

March 13, 2006    
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Wrestling
Rider’s Kessler Heading To Nationals
Broncs Add Fifth National Qualifier

LAWRENCEVILLE—Rider University freshman Mike Kessler (Randallstown, Md./Owings Mills) is joining four teammates on a trip to Oklahoma City, OK this weekend for the NCAA Division I National Championship Tournament. “Mike showed this year he is one of the best in the conference,” said Rider head coach Gary Taylor.

Kessler placed third in his 149 pound weight class at the recent Colonial Athletic Association Championships, and was selected the first alternate after the 23 CAA national qualifiers were named.  An injury to Old Dominion’s Bryan LaShomb, the 125 pound runner-up, opened the door for Kessler. “It was one of the most pleasant phone calls I’ve gotten,” said Rider associate head coach John Hangey. “Mike is a pretty happy guy right now, and he deserves to be going.”

Kessler was the second seed at the CAAs and defeated the sixth seed 9-3 for third place.  Kessler won 10-4 in the first round, and then pinned Sean Egan of Sacred Heart (2:29) in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, Kessler was winning 7-1 with one minute left before being pinned by the sixth seed.

“This is a great experience for Mike to get as a freshman, but it is also great for our program,:” said Hangey. “This will make him a better wrestler, and will make us a better team in the future.”

Kessler joins Rider sophomore Zack Cunliffe (Farmingdale/Howell), senior Joe Maroney (Bensalem, PA), sophomore Doug Umbehauer (Shamong/Lenape), and sophomore TJ Morrison (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff) on the trip to Nationals March 16-18.

Cunliffe was a CAA Champion, Maroney and Umbehauer were CAA runners-up, and Morrison was a wildcard selection after placing fourth in his weight class.

The seeds and brackets will be announced on Tuesday.

-RU-