Monday, Feb 17, 2020
Seniors Cloud, Sherry win by fall in final matches in Alumni Gym
by Rider Sports Information
Six Broncs won their matches and two seniors won by fall to push the Rider University wrestling team over MAC foe Clarion University 25-13 on the morning of Sunday, Feb. 16, at Alumni Gymnasium.
With the win, the Broncs (11-3, 7-1 MAC) finished their inaugural season as part of the MAC with a 7-1 record, claiming first place in the East Division of the MAC.
"The MAC conference is very competitive," says Rider Head Coach John Hangey. "It is very gritty, it's very talented, it's got a lot of great quality and we are very proud of that. It's nice to be in our first year, our inaugural year, to claim this title. It sets a standard."
Clarion claimed the first points of the dual at 125, but Rider would take two decisions at 133 and 141 to give the Broncs the lead. Richie Koehler won by a 5-2 decision, while Peter Lipari won similarly, 6-0, giving Rider a 6-4 lead.
Clarion and Rider would trade the lead twice more, with the Golden Eagles winning a decision at 149, before No. 4 Jesse Dellavacchia claimed a 7-0 victory at 157 to put Rider on top, 9-7, heading into the intermission. Clarion took its final lead with a sudden victory decision at 165, before No. 20 Dean Sherry swiftly swung the momentum into the Broncs' favor with a fall at the one-minute mark of his match against Mike Vernagallo at 174.
George Walton gave Rider more bonus points with a major decision over Christian Sequete, 20-7, at 184 to push Rider's lead to 19-10. Clarion won its final points of the day with a decision at 197, before heavyweight Ryan Cloud sealed the Broncs' victory with a win by fall at 5:36.
"For (Dean Sherry and Ryan Cloud), this is the pinnacle of our sport," Hangey says. "We expect them to go out and win every time they wrestle, so kudos to them to end their last match at home with a fall."