Wrestling: Pennesi’s Run Ends at Cliff Keen
December 04, 2010 01:59 PM | General
LAS VEGAS – Following a strong run for placement at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, West Virginia University sophomore Nathan Pennesi was defeated in the second round of the consolation quarterfinals Saturday morning at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The Latrobe, Pa., native faced No. 12 B.J. Futrell of Illinois and was defeated by decision, 5-6. Futrell jumped to a quick 5-0 with a takedown and near fall for three points in the first period. Pennesi countered it with a strong second period in which he earned an escape point and takedown, followed by another takedown in the third period to end with five points.
WVU coach Craig Turnbull was pleased with the effort of his 133-pound wrestler.
“He was faced with a very athletic, strong opponent,” he says. “Futrell has a history of starting really quick and strong and then gets a little conservative at the end of the match. He’s very quick and we shot at him pretty quickly, but he was able to get that 5-0 lead. To Nathan’s credit, there were so many things, even in a loss, that he did well and was able to cut the margin against a very good opponent. He was even in a position to win it at the end because of his work ethic and determination.”
Pennesi was the lone Mountaineer to advance to the second round of the consolation quarterfinals after his teammates Shane Young (125 pounds) and Matt Ryan (184) were defeated Friday evening in the opening round of quarterfinals.
“This tournament is going to serve Nathan very well,” Turnbull says. “He has learned from his matches that he can compete against the best. This is all building toward what appears to be a very successful year for him. This match was very valuable for him; he’ll take a lot out of this weekend and will only get better.”
The Mountaineers return to action on Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Reno Tournament of Champions in Reno, Nev.
The Latrobe, Pa., native faced No. 12 B.J. Futrell of Illinois and was defeated by decision, 5-6. Futrell jumped to a quick 5-0 with a takedown and near fall for three points in the first period. Pennesi countered it with a strong second period in which he earned an escape point and takedown, followed by another takedown in the third period to end with five points.
WVU coach Craig Turnbull was pleased with the effort of his 133-pound wrestler.
“He was faced with a very athletic, strong opponent,” he says. “Futrell has a history of starting really quick and strong and then gets a little conservative at the end of the match. He’s very quick and we shot at him pretty quickly, but he was able to get that 5-0 lead. To Nathan’s credit, there were so many things, even in a loss, that he did well and was able to cut the margin against a very good opponent. He was even in a position to win it at the end because of his work ethic and determination.”
Pennesi was the lone Mountaineer to advance to the second round of the consolation quarterfinals after his teammates Shane Young (125 pounds) and Matt Ryan (184) were defeated Friday evening in the opening round of quarterfinals.
“This tournament is going to serve Nathan very well,” Turnbull says. “He has learned from his matches that he can compete against the best. This is all building toward what appears to be a very successful year for him. This match was very valuable for him; he’ll take a lot out of this weekend and will only get better.”
The Mountaineers return to action on Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Reno Tournament of Champions in Reno, Nev.
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