Wrestling: Grapplers Regroup For Victory
January 17, 2004 03:09 PM | General
January 17, 2004
CLEVELAND – West Virginia (3-3, 1-0), behind a stellar heavyweight performance, upended host Cleveland State, 21-16, at the 2004 Cliff Keen/National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals in Cleveland, Ohio.
With the team score at 18-16 in favor of West Virginia heading into the final match, the Mountaineers rested their hope on a sophomore wrestling in just his third collegiate match. WVU’s Lanfer Simpson (285) rose to the challenge and upset No. 8 ranked Russ Davie to secure a Mountaineer victory.
After a scoreless first period, Simpson notched a takedown to take a 2-1 lead into the second period. Falling a few seconds short of one minute riding time, Davie needed to score another point but a relentless Simpson held on to pull off the upset.
“Lanfer Simpson’s match was one of the most improbable wins that I’ve had in several years,” says WVU head coach Craig Turnbull. “It was an impressive performance from Lanfer when the team didn’t wrestle so well.”
Joe Clarke (141) and Greg Jones (184) both tallied their second wins of the day with an impressive 4-2 decision and a fall at one minute and :55 seconds. No. 14 Clarke took a 1-0 lead heading into the third period against No. 20 ranked Anthony Coleman. Both wrestlers traded two-point moves before Clarke escaped to lead 4-2 and seal the win.
In a dominate performance at 184-pounds, Jones pinned CSU’s Ron Howard at 1:55 of the first period. The junior Mountaineer scored a takedown to lead 2-0 before setting up Howard. In textbook form, Jones slowing worked Howard over to earn the fall and take WVU into the lead at 18-13.
The only other Mountaineer to post a win against conference foe Cleveland State was Seth Lisa (133) and Zac Fryling (165). Fryling battled back and forth with Matt Klinger as both struggled to find an offensive rhythm. WVU’s true freshman would prevail in taking a 3-2 decision.
“This match I feel was not our best effort or performance,” adds Turnbull. “But we found a way to win and that is what counts.”
West Virginia next wrestles tonight at 5 p.m. with a matchup against the loser of Penn/Penn State.
West Virginia 21 (3-3, 1-0 EWL)
Cleveland State 16 (6-5, 0-1 EWL)
125: DeAngelo Penn (CSU) Dec Casey Brewster (WVU) 12-7
133: Seth Lisa (WVU) Fall Kevin Linich (CSU) 3:39
141: #14 Joe Clarke (WVU) Dec #20 Anthony Coleman (CSU) 4-2
149: Matt DePolo (CSU) Dec Mike Torriero (WVU) 13-7
157: Jason Effner (CSU) Major Drew Joseph (WVU) 10-2
165: Zac Fryling (WVU) Dec Matt Klinger (CSU) 3-2
174: Matt Kallai (CSU) Dec Eric Mullen (WVU) 6-0
184: #1 Greg Jones (WVU) Fall Ron Howard (CSU) 1:55
197: Joe Phillips (CSU) Dec #14 Matt Daddino (WVU) 2-1 OT
285: Lanfer Simpson (WVU) Dec #6 Russ Davie (CSU) 2-1
