January 9, 2007 - Drexel 21 Rider 16
January 9, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Wrestling
Drexel University 21, Rider University 16
PHILADELPHIA, PA--The Broncs won five of 10 bouts but lost to Drexel in a Colonial Athletic Association dual meet Tuesday. It was just the eighth time in 31 meetings that Drexel beat Rider, and the first time since the 2002-2003 season. “I knew Drexel could beat us,” said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. “I didn’t think they would, but they out-wrestled us tonight.”
For Rider (2-3, 0-1 CAA), junior T. J. Morrison (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cedar Cliff), ranked 13th in the nation, won to tie the score at 16-16.
Sophomore Doug Umbehauer (Shamong/Lenape), ranked ninth in the nation, junior 141 Don Fisch (Williamstown/Delsea) freshman Mike Miller (Wilmington, DE/Brandywine) and sophomore Mike Kessler (Randallstown, MD/Owings Mills) also won for the Broncs.
“The good news for the night is that we beat their best kids,” Taylor said. At 149, Mark Cartella is ranked 17th in the nation and first in the CAA. At 174, Nick Kozar is ranked 18th in the nation, and at 197 Jon Oplinger is ranked fourth in the CAA. “Kessler and Umbehauer beat National qualifiers,” Taylor said.
Drexel (8-5, 4-0 CAA) won three bouts by tech fall for the deciding points.
Rider lost two close matches, at 133 in overtime and at 165 by one point. “I thought we would win those two matches, and that would have given us the win,” Taylor said. “I felt we were favored in those matches, and if we win either one it’s a six point swing and we win the match. Give their kids credit, they wrestled hard and beat those two kids, so you just have to give Drexel credit.”
The match pitted the two active leaders in career Division I coaching wins as Drexel’s Jack Childs earned victory number 376 while Rider’s Gary Taylor remained at 321 wins.
Rider competes at the Virginia Duals in Hampton, Virginia this weekend. Rider is the fourth seed in the 16-team tournament and takes on Virginia Military Institute in the first round Friday morning. “I’m very happy about that seed,” Taylor said. “If the seeding was done a day later we might not be a fourth seed, so we’ll have to take full advantage of this and do the best we can.”
125 Steve Mytych-D tech fall Thomas Lorenzo-R 19-3 5-0
133 Billy Martin-D dec. Matt Bradley-R 5-4 (ot) 8-0
141 Don Fisch-R major dec. Morgan Remillard 15-6 8-4
149 Mike Kessler-R dec. Mark Cartella-D 4-1 (ot) 8-7
157 Ryan Hlushak-D tech fall Robbie Morrison-R 23-7 13-7
165 Billy Haydt-D dec. Dave Miller-R 7-6 16-7
174 Doug Umbehauer-R dec. Nick Kozar-D 5-3 16-10
184 Mike Miller-R dec. Justin Terhune-D 5-4 16-13
197 TJ Morrison-R dec. Jon Oplinger-D 2-1 16-16
Hwt Chris Cowen-D tech fall Nick Ciufo-R 18-3 21-16
