Wrestling: Lebe Places Fifth
December 06, 2003 06:18 PM | General
December 6, 2003
LAS VEGAS – West Virginia University’s Matt Lebe wrestled to a fifth place finish Saturday at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational at the Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
“I felt good coming out here this weekend,” said Lebe. “I knew this was an opportunity for us to see some of the top wrestlers in the country.”
Lebe (157) opened the morning session against B.J. Wright of Nebraska. He took a 6-2 lead in the second period before walking away with an 8-6 decision. The sophomore’s second win of the day came at 1:36 with a fall over the No. 7 seed, Brain Stith, of Arizona State.
The Jeannette, Pa., native then fell to Kenny Burelson from Missouri 9-2. Lebe scored an injury default over Scott Garren from North Carolina State to secure fifth place. A year ago, Lebe took seventh place for the Mountaineers.
“I learned a lot from all of my matches,” adds Lebe. “The two losses only force me to get better. I have some things to work on now and will get back to work next week after final exams.”
Matt Daddino (197) fell in his only match on Saturday to fifth-seeded Jason Potter of Illinois. After a scoreless first period, the two traded escapes in the second period for a 1-1 tie. The score would not change even through a one minute overtime session. Daddino came up short, 2-1, with Potter taking the sudden victory.
The University of Nebraska captured the team title while West Virginia placed 19th.
Final Team Scores:
1. Nebraska
2. Michigan
3. Missouri
4. Arizona State
5. Illinois
19. West Virginia
Mountaineer records over the two-day event:
125 - Casey Brewster: 4-2
141 - Joe Clarke: 0-2
149 - Mike Torriero: 2-2
157 - Matt Lebe: 6-2
165 - Zac Fryling: 2-2
197 - Matt Daddino: 3-2
The Mountaineers return to action with The Midlands Tournament on, Dec. 29-30, in Chicago, Ill. and the Sun Devil Duals, Jan. 4, in Tempe, Ariz.
