Wrestling: EWL Session I Complete
March 07, 2010 10:43 AM | General
March 7, 2010
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University wrestling team is sitting in fifth place through the first session of the Eastern Wrestling League Championships, with freshman Shane Young (125), redshirt senior Donnie Jones (165) and junior Brandon Williamson (HWT) all advancing to the title bout at their respective weight classes.
Young advanced to the 125-pound title match after recording two victories at his weight classes. Young recorded a 17-2 technical fall victory in 5:32 over Cleveland State’s Ronald Butler, and then earned a 3-2 decision over Edinboro’s Eric Morrill. He will face Pitt’s Anthony Zanetta, ranked 16th nationally according to InterMat, for the 125-pound title.
Jones also advanced to the title match with his 2-1 victory over Bloomsburg’s Rick Schmelyun, ranked No. 11 by InterMat and the No. 2 seed at 165 pounds. A Slickville, Pa., native, Jones opened the tournament with an 11-5 decision over Clarion’s Nick Milano. Jones fell behind early on a takedown, but quickly escaped and went on to take the lead for good. Jones and 2009 national champion Jarrod King of Edinboro will face off for the 165-pound title – a rematch of last year’s championship bout.
The third and final Mountaineer competing for an EWL crown is Williamson, who outscored his two opponents 13-2. The Riverside, Conn., native won his first match of the tournament, 5-1, over Bloomsburg’s Zac Walsh, and then posted an 8-1 victory over Clarion’s Quintas McCorkle.
Senior Mike Rowe (149) and junior Kyle Rooney (197) also won their first matches of the day. Rowe defeated Pitt’s Eric Albright, 12-5, but then drew the No. 1 seed, James Fleming of Clarion, and lost by a slim 1-0 decision. Rooney, who blanked Bloomsburg’s Brian Shaw, 5-0, faced Pitt’s Matt Wilps, the No. 1 seed at 197 pounds in the next round. The two went back and forth, but Wilps was able to score a takedown with less than 20 seconds remaining in the match for the 3-1 victory.
Following the consolation semifinals at 5 p.m., which will feature Rowe against Cleveland State’s Dan Castillo, redshirt sophomore Kyle Eason (157) against Pitt’s Donnie Tasser, redshirt sophomore Matt Weston (174) against Pitt’s Dave Sullivan and Rooney against Lock Haven’s Harry Turner, the third session will take place at 7 p.m.
Prior to the championship bouts, former Mountaineers Ian “Whitey” Chlebove, Sam Kline and Greg Jones will be inducted into the EWL Hall of Fame.
EWL CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKETS
Team Scores Through Session I
1. Pitt 103.00
2. Edinboro 84.50
3. Clarion 83.00
4. Bloomsburg 56.00
5. West Virginia 55.50
6. Lock Haven 39.50
7. Cleveland State 36.00
