Wrestling: WVU Set For Las Vegas Invitational
December 16, 2003 09:32 AM | General
December 2, 2003
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University wrestling team travels to Las Vegas, Nev., to take part in the 22nd annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational on Friday, Dec. 5-6, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Meet Preview:
WVU travels to Las Vegas, Nev, to take part in the 22nd annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational. West Virginia will compete in the two-day event held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Hall C. The all-day event features 40 teams including Air Force, Columbia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Purdue, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Last year, Greg Jones won the 174 bracket to help lead West Virginia to a fifth place finish at the Las Vegas Invitational. Four Mountaineer wrestlers finished in sixth place in their respective weight classes.
Last Time Out:
WVU wrestled to a second-place team finish while sending five wrestlers to championship matches at the Navy Classic in Annapolis, Md. Senior Joe Clarke (141), juniors Matt Lebe Daddino (197) and sophomore Matt Lebe (157) each took home tournament titles in their respective weight classes. Clarke, a transfer from Princeton, won four matches at 141 for WVU. Lebe, a runner-up at last year’s Navy Classic, swept through the 157-pound weight class. Daddino, a transfer from Hofstra, won his first career title as a Mountaineer. Senior Mike Torriero (149) and freshman Zac Fryling (165) both earned runner-up finishes for West Virginia. WVU had eight grapplers finish in the top-four. The Mountaineers amassed 103 points to earn a second-place team finish behind The Citadel who won the overall team championship with 110.
Dynamic Duo:
Senior Joe Clarke and sophomore Matt Lebe have both notched back-to-back tournament titles to open the 2003-04 season. The duo has combined to go 17-0 after both the WVU Open and Navy Classic this year. Clarke, a transfer from Princeton, has mad a quick adjustment into coach Turnbull’s lineup at 141. Lebe was recently named EWL wrestler of the week for his performance at the Navy Classic in taking the 157 title.
Lebe Honored:
11/23/03 - West Virginia University wrestler Matt Lebe was named the Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) wrestler of the week for his efforts at the Navy Classic. Lebe, a Jeannette, Pa., native swept through the 157-pound weight class, earning a tournament title and leading West Virginia to a second-place team finish. The sophomore earned a bye to open the tournament, then scored a fall in the quarterfinals, a major decision in the semis and a takedown-filled 12-4 win over Mike Carbonaro of the Naval Academy in the finals.
Nationally Ranked:
The Mountaineers hold a national ranking of 13th in the latest collegiate wrestling poll announced this week by Intermatwrestle.com. In addition to the team’s Top 15 ranking, WVU has six grapplers ranked in the latest poll, with three in the Top 10. Joe Clarke (141) and Matt Lebe (157) have both notched back-to-back tournament titles to open the 2003-04 season. Clarke is ranked 12th, while Lebe sits at No. 19 in the country. The duo has combined to go 17-0 with their wins at the WVU Open and Navy Classic. Ryan Wilman (174) and Greg Jones (184), despite switching weight classes from last season, have earned a national ranking. Wilman, an NCAA qualifier, is ranked 17th and Jones, an NCAA champion, holds a No. 2 ranking. Matt Daddino (197) and Brent Miller (HWT) also find themselves in the Top 10 rankings. Daddino is currently ranked 9th and Miller 5th.
Lauer Takes Redshirt Year:
Brandon Lauer, an All-American at 133 last year, will take a medical redshirt season in 2003-04. The Highland, Md. native, had surgery in the offseason to his right elbow. Lauer battled to an eighth place finish in becoming WVU’s 16th All-American in Kansas City.
Last Season:
The 2002-03 campaign had many highlights: the program’s 500th victory, the first-ever win over Iowa State, the highest ranking in program history (fifth), the school record for consecutive Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) dual wins (14), the team’s second consecutive EWL regular season title, the most points scored in an EWL tournament (123.50), the most NCAA qualifiers in school history (nine), another top-20 finish at the NCAA tournament and a team ranking of 17th academically.
