Wrestling Downs George Mason, Falls to No. 3 Ohio State in Home Opener Written By: Columbia University Athletics Release: 01/03/2010
NEW YORK - The Columbia wrestling team split a pair of duals in its home opener on Sunday, January 3. The Lions defeated George Mason 27-11 in the first match, but fell 37-0 to No. 3 Ohio State in the night cap. The Lions held a slim one-point lead (12-11) over the Patriots after the first six bouts, but first-year Stephen West's sudden victory win at 174 pounds prompted four straight wins by Columbia, who went on to defeat George Mason, 27-11. After the score was knotted at 8-8 after three exciting periods of wrestling, West scored a takedown early in the overtime period to defeat a talented Mendbagana Tovuujav, 10-8. That victory seemed to sway the momentum in favor of the Lions, as senior co-captain Cary Aldrich followed that up with a 4-0 win over Jimmy Webb. Next up for Columbia at 197 pounds was senior Lou Miller. In his first dual action of the season, Miller had a huge 7-3 win over Bill Widener to push the Lions lead to 21-11 heading into the final bout. Sophomore heavyweight Kevin Lester needed just 1:44 to pin Hunter Manspile, sealing the second dual win of the young season for Columbia. The two teams split the first six bouts of the match as Kyle Gilchrist (125) decisioned Brian Wright, 10-4, Jake O'Hara (141) pinned Shohei Takagi in 2:22, and senior co-captain Matt Dunn (157) defeated Aaron Keeton, 6-3. The Patriots earned a technical fall at 133 and a pair of decisions at 149 and 165. Next up for the Lions were the Buckeyes of Ohio State, currently ranked third in the nation. The Buckeyes, who defeated George Mason 46-0 in the second match of the day, won all 10 bouts against the Lions, downing the Lions 37-0. Columbia kept things interesting against one of the top teams in the country, as the four of the six final matches were decided by three points or less. Dunn lost a tight 4-2 battle to Sean Nemec at 157 pounds, and Civan and Aldrich both dropped 5-2 decisions at 165 and 184, respectively. The most exciting match of the dual was at 197 pounds between Miller and Cody Magrum. After each wrestler earned a single point for an escape, it appeared as though the match was headed to overtime. But Magrum scored a takedown in the final seconds of the third period, defeating Miller 3-1. Columbia (2-2-1) returns to action next weekend when it takes on Eastern Michigan, No. 25 University of Pittsburgh, and Waynesburg at the Pitt Duals. The team will then face Duquesne in a dual meet later that evening.
Columbia -27, George Mason - 11 125 - Kyle Gilchrist (Columbia) dec. Brian Wright, 10-4 133 - Zachory Huxford tech. fall Robert Dyar, 17-2 141 - Jake O'Hara (Columbia) pinned Shohei Takagi, 2:22 149 - Brandon Bucher (George Mason) dec. Steve Santos, 8-4 157 - Matt Dunn (Columbia) dec. Aaron Keeton, 6-3 165 - Frankie McLaughlin (George Mason) dec. Eren Civan, 3-2 174 -Stephen West (Columbia) dec. Mendbagana Tovuujav, 10-8 (SV) 184 - Cary Aldrich (Columbia) dec. Jimmy Webb, 4-0 197 - Lou Miller (Columbia) dec. Bill Widener, 7-3 Hwt. - Kevin Lester (Columbia) pinned Hunter Manspile, 1:44
125 - Nikko Triggas (OSU) tech. fall Brian Wright, 16-0 (3:00) 133 - Ian Paddock (OSU) major dec. Zachory Huxford, 16-2 141 - #1 Reece Humphrey (OSU) wins by forfeit Shohei Takagi 149 - #4 Lance Palmer (OSU) pinned Brandon Bucher, 1:59 157 - Sean Nemec (OSU) dec. Ty Knapp, 12-6 165 - #7 Colt Sponseller (OSU) major dec. Frankie McLaughlin, 12-3 174 - Dave Rella (OSU) dec. Mendbagana Tovuujav, 3-1 (SV) 184 - T.C. Pendelton (OSU) major dec. Jimmy Webb, 12-4 197 - Cody Magrum (OSU) major dec. Bill Widener, 11-2 Hwt. - Corey Morrison (OSU) pinned Dave Speaker, 1:07
Columbia - 0, Ohio State - 37 125 - Nikko Triggas (OSU) tech. fall Kyle Gilchrist, 17-0 (4:23) 133 - Ian Paddock (OSU) pinned Robert Dyar, 1:11 141 - #1 Reece Humphrey (OSU) tech. fall Jake O'Hara, 25-10 (6:45) 149 - #4 Lance Palmer (OSU) major dec. Steve Santos (Columbia), 20-6 157 - Sean Nemec (OSU) dec. Matt Dunn, 4-2 165 - #7 Colt Sponseller (OSU) dec. Eren Civan, 5-2 174 - Dave Rella (OSU) dec. Stephen West, 9-3 184 - T.C. Pendelton (OSU) dec. Cary Aldrich, 5-2 197 - Cody Magrum (OSU) dec. Lou Miller, 3-1 Hwt. - Corey Morrison (OSU) dec. Kevin Lester, 10-4