Wrestling: Villers, Rogers Advance to Semifinals
December 01, 2007 12:16 AM | General
By Steve Stone for MSNsportsNET.com
November 30, 2007
LAS VEGAS, NEV. – Seniors Jared Villers and Dustin Rogers of the West Virginia University wrestling team advanced to the semifinals at the Cliff Keen Invitational on Friday, Nov. 30, in Las Vegas, Nev.
In the third round Villers decisioned Ohio State’s John Weakly, 9-5, in the 197-pound bout. In the quarterfinals Villers won a competitive match against Michigan’s Anthony Biondo, taking a 7-5 decision to move into the semifinals.
Dustin Rogers’ dominant day was highlighted by a pin at 4:53 against Brandon Rupp of Western Wyoming in the third round of the heavyweight bout. Rogers followed with an 8-2 decision against North Carolina’s Justin Dobies to earn a berth in semifinal action.
David Jauregui at 149 pounds was one of three Mountaineers to get defeated in the quarterfinals of the championship round. Jauregui decisioned Navy’s Bryce Saddoris, 7-4, in round three until falling to No. 2 seed J.P. O’Connor of Harvard in an 8-3 decision. Jauregui will continue in the consolation rounds on Saturday, Dec. 1.
Zac Fryling at 157 pounds also fell in the quarterfinals after losing to No. 2 Michael Poeta of Illinois in an 11-4 decision. Fryling previously defeated No. 10 Jake Frerichs of Ohio in a 5-4 decision in third round action.
Chance Litton’s unbeaten start to the season was stopped against No. 1 Keith Gavin of Pitt in the 174-pound match, losing in an 8-2 decision. Litton, however, scored an impressive 3-1 decision over No. 9 James Williamson of Missouri.
Kurt Brenner was eliminated from the tournament after losing in his final two matches, leaving the Mountaineers with three wrestlers in the consolation rounds on Saturday.
Head coach Craig Turnbull feels the invitational has benefited WVU because of the high level of competition.
“I thought it was a positive experience today and it was definitely a good experience for our team,” says Turnbull.
Semifinal play and the consolation rounds will begin Saturday morning at 9 a.m.
