Feb. 17, 2008

Lewisburg, Pa. - The American University wrestling team lost its final Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association dual of the year Sunday, falling to Bucknell 30-14 at Davis Gym. Despite the loss, American received wins at four weight classes including No. 6 Mike Cannon's 50th career win against No. 19 Andy Rendos at 165 lbs.

American's record drops to 3-14 with the loss while its EIWA mark falls to 1-5. Bucknell meanwhile improved to 9-10-1 with the win and 2-3 in the EIWA. Sunday's dual was the third in a four match road trip to close out AU's season.

Sunday's match began with an American forfeit at heavyweight and 125 lbs., putting AU in an early hole down 0-12.

Freshman Matt Mariacher started the action at 133 lbs. against his sixth ranked opponent of the year, No. 18 David Marble. Marble scored on a single-leg takedown at the 1:36 mark to take a 0-2 lead over Mariacher and rode out the period in control. Mariacher began the second period on top but lost control of Marble and gave up two points for a reversal. Trailing 2-6 at the beginning of the third, Mariacher chose to start down and scored a reversal with one minute remaining in the match to get to within two points, 4-6. Marble took control of the match after that point though and with riding time advantage took the decision, 4-10.

Kyle Borshoff scored early against Luke Chohany at 141 lbs. with a takedown 31 seconds into the first period. Borshoff was awarded three back points at the end of the first and took a 5-0 lead with 2:29 of riding time into the second. Chosing to start the period down, Borshoff extended his lead to 7-0 early in the frame with a reversal and finished the period on top, 9-1. Borshoff spent the first minute of the third period on top trying to turn Chohany but settled instead for cutting Chohany and scoring another takedown before time ran out. After his 4:17 of riding time was added to the final score, Borshoff won the match by major decision, 12-3.

With the win, Borshoff remains perfect in EIWA competition at 6-0 and improves his overall record to 21-6.

Kevin LeValley defeated Chris Clarke at 149 lbs. by technical-fall, 20-5, in the third period.

Christopher Stout took down Brantley Hooks 54 seconds into the first period of their 157 lbs. match and remained in control of the Bison for the duration of the period. Stout and Hooks began the second period neutral but would not stay that way long as Stout quickly scored a second takedown to move his lead to 4-0. Stout again maintained an advantage over Hooks for the remainder of the period and by the time the third period began he had accrued 3:45 of riding time. Less than 45 seconds into the third period, Stout had escaped from his down starting position and scored his third takedown of the match to increase his lead to 7-0. After being awarded one point for stalling and one for his five-plus minutes of riding time, Stout won the match by major decision, 9-0.

Stout now stands at 21-10 on the year and 4-2 in the EIWA. The win was Stout's 10th this season by major decision as he leads the team with 15 bonus point victories.

Cannon took the mat next against No. 19 Andy Rendos, seeking his 50th career win. The grapplers moved late into the first period in a scoreless tie when suddenly Cannon nearly ended the match . Cannon used Rendos' own momentum against him as he threw the Bison to the mat with a headlock that landed him on his back. Unable to score the fall, Cannon attempted to reset his position and in that brief instance Rendos scored a reversal to close the gap to 5-2. Cannon took a 6-2 lead into the second period and moved ahead 8-2 when he scored his second set of back points with a cradle. Just like in the first period though Rendos reversed out of the maneuver as Cannon reset himself and cut the lead to 8-4. Cannon would not be on the defensive for long though, using a switch to score a reversal of his own and move the score to 10-4. Rendos would reverse once more before the end of the period, sending the match into the third with Cannon ahead 10-6. Cannon began the final period down, giving Rendos an opportunity to negate his riding time advantage. With the 10-6 lead though Cannon did not need the advantage time and after spending 1:42 on bottom Cannon escaped to win the match by a final score of 11-6.

The win improves Cannon's overall record this season to 21-2 and keeps his record against the EIWA perfect at 6-0. Sunday's victory over Rendos was the 50th of Cannon's career and his third this season over a ranked opponent. Cannon is now just 18 wins shy of cracking AU's all-time wins list.

American's win streak was halted at two matches when Shane Riccio pinned Jonathon Powell in the first period of their 174 lbs. match and Brooks Keefer lost by major decision to David Thompson at 184 lbs.

Andy Semple scored first on Sean LoCurto as he countered LoCurto's shot late in the first period and took a 2-0 lead into the second. The two began the second period neutral before LoCurto scored a takedown with under ten seconds remaining in the frame to even the score. Semple began the third down and reversed LoCurto as he attempted a cradle, giving him a 4-2 advantage. Semple remained aggressive late in the final period, using a cross face and under hook to try and turn LoCurto. Semple was unable to get the Bison to his back though, instead racking up 2:05 of riding time. With the advantage time, Semple took the decision, 5-2.

Semple's victory was just his third of the season but his second in the EIWA. The win improves Semple's overall record to 3-19 and his conference record to 2-4.

The AU wrestling team will be back in action on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m., when it travels to Binghamton University for its final dual meet of the season.

HWT - Stephen Rivera (BU) def. AU, Forfeit

125 - Greg Hart (BU) def. AU, Forfeit

133 - No. 18 David Marble (BU) def. Matt Mariacher (AU), Dec. 10-4

141 - Kyle Borshoff (AU) def. Luke Chohany (BU), Major Dec. 12-3

149 - Kevin LeValley (BU) def. Chris Clarke (AU), Tech-Fall 20-5 (6:19)

157 - Christopher Stout (AU) def. Brantley Hooks (BU), Major Dec. 9-0

165 - No. 6 Mike Cannon (AU) def. No. 19 Andy Rendos (BU), Dec. 11-6

174 - Shane Riccio (BU) def. Jonathon Powell (AU), Fall (1:47)

184 -David Thompson (BU) def. Brooks Keefer (AU), Major Dec. 11-2

197 - Andy Semple (AU) def. Sean LoCurto (BU), Dec. 5-2