Wrestling: Gophers Edge Mountaineers
January 18, 2003 05:30 PM | General
By Adam Zundell for MSNsportsNET.com
January 18, 2003
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The third-seeded Minnesota Golden Gophers eliminated sixth-seeded West Virginia, 20-15, at the Cliff Keen/NWCA National Dual championships Saturday afternoon in a tight match that was marked by dramatic shifts in momentum and a stirring conclusion.
The match went back and forth in the early bouts as Seth Lisa (125) opened the Mountaineer scoring with a 3-0 win over Bobby Lowe. Minnesota's Ryan Lewis (133) responded with a 10-0 major decision over Brian Floyd (wrestling in place of Brandon Lauer) that put the Gophers up 4-3.
A takedown in the third period gave Shane Cunanan (141) a 7-5 decision over Tom Owen, but Minnesota scored another major decision at 149 where Jared Lawrence beat Billy Smith 13-3.
The Gophers started to extend their lead with wins at 157 and 165. Luke Becker (157) defeated Matt Lebe 9-4 and Jacob Volkman (165) defeated Tom McMath 10-6. In that match, McMath scored a takedown in the first 13 seconds and recorded another later in the first to take a 4-2 lead. However, Volkman responded and scored two takedowns in the second, including one at the end of the period to tie the match at 6-6. Volkman started bottom in the third and scored an escape and a takedown to secure the win. At that point, Minnesota led 14-6.
The Mountaineers clawed back in the match with important wins at 174 and 184. Greg Jones (174) scored the only offensive point of the match in the first period and escaped with a 3-2 victory over Josh McLay to cut the Gopher lead to 14-9.
At 184, Anthony Regalbuto, who weighed in at 174 and has not seen action at 184 in his career, raced out to a 4-2 lead over Matt Nagel on two takedowns in the first period. However, Regalbuto chose down to start the second and was called for stalling twice as Nagel rode him the entire period. Nagel then chose down to start the third and escaped before Regalbuto took him down right to his back and recorded the dramatic pin at 5:22 in the match to give WVU its third lead of the dual, 15-14.
Coach Craig Turnbull bumped Ryan Wilman to 197 to wrestle Damion Hahn and Hahn got the best of the matchup taking a 4-2 decision to give Minnesota a slim 17-15 lead heading into the final match.
At heavyweight, Minnesota's Garrett Lowney scored a takedown in the first on a missed shot by WVU's Brent Miller. Miller scored the escape and the period ended with Lowney leading 2-1. Miller scored the only point in the second with an escape. Lowney began the third with an escape to take the 3-2 lead. Needing a takedown, Miller shot often in the last minute but Lowney used Miller's aggressiveness to score a takedown. After a WVU escape, Miller shot desperately again as time was expiring and surrendered another takedown. The 7-3 decision clinched Minnesota's dual win.
West Virginia (2-3) will return to action Saturday, Feb. 2, with an EWL match at Clarion.
Minnesota 20, West Virginia 15
125 - Seth Lisa (WV) d. Bobby Lowe (MN), 3-0
133 - Ryan Lewis (MN) md. Brian Floyd (WV), 10-0
141 - Shane Cunanan (WV) d. Tom Owen (MN), 7-5
149 - Jared Lawrence (MN) md. Billy Smith (WV), 13-3
157 - Luke Becker (MN) d. Matt Lebe (WV), 9-4
165 - Jacob Volkman (MN) d. Tom McMath (WV), 10-6
174 - Greg Jones (WV) d. Josh McLay (MN), 3-2
184 - Anthony Regalbuto (WV) pinned Matt Nagel, 5:22
197 - Damion Hall (MN) d. Ryan Wilman (WV), 4-2
HWT - Garrett Lowney (MN) d. Brent Miller (WV), 7-3
