Williamson, Young Register Upsets

By Ira Green
WVU Sports Information Office

EDINBORO, Pa. (February 20, 2010) – Junior Brandon Williamson and freshman Shane Young started off the dual with a bang, recording a pair of upset victories, but the West Virginia University wrestling team was unable to overcome a strong 25th-ranked Edinboro team, falling 29-6, Saturday evening at McComb Fieldhouse.

The final Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) dual of the year, the contest started at the heavyweight position. Neither No. 20-ranked Chris Birchler or WVU’s Williamson were able to record a point through the first two periods, but Williamson held a two-minute riding time advantage after remaining in control for the entire second period. In the third, Williamson chose neutral and was able to score a takedown on Birchler to seal the victory, 3-0.

Williamson, who clinched the No. 1 seed at heavyweight at the EWL Championships, has won his last seven matches, including wins over a pair of ranked opponents: sixth-ranked Ryan Tomei of Pitt and Birchler. The Riverside, Conn., native improved to 16-6 overall, including a perfect 6-0 mark against league competition.

Next up for the Mountaineers (3-11, 3-3 EWL) was Young, who was slated to wrestle No. 8-ranked Eric Morrill. Young put on a takedown clinic in the opening session, recording three takedowns to go ahead 6-2. Morrill made a charge late, but it was not enough, as Young grabbed a 10-7 decision. The Jeannette, Pa., native now stands at 14-7 overall, 5-1 against EWL competition.

Three of the weight classes the Mountaineers lost were decided by three points or less. Sophomore Colin Johnston, ranked 18th nationally at 133 pounds, fell 2-0, redshirt sophomore Kyle Eason (157) lost 7-4, and redshirt senior Donnie Jones wrestled an exciting back-and-forth match against 2009 national champion Jarrod King, but fell 6-3.

Jones fell behind early, 2-0, crept back into the match in the second. After King escaped to start the second, Jones recorded a takedown to the cut the deficit to one. King escaped before the end of the period to go ahead 4-2. In the third, a controversial call potentially hurt Jones’ chances. Looking as though he escaped, the referee ruled the two out of bounds, keeping King in control. Jones finally escaped, but did not have enough time to overcome. The loss snapped Jones’ four-match winning streak.

Edinboro improves to 9-6 overall, 5-1 versus league action.

The Mountaineers will break from competition before returning to action at the EWL Championships in Morgantown on March 7. Action at the WVU Coliseum is set to begin at 10 a.m.

#25 Edinboro 29 WVU 6

HWT: Brandon Williamson (WVU) dec. #20 Chris Birchler (EDN), 3-0
125: Shane Young (WVU) dec. #8 Eric Morrill (EDN), 10-7
133: Kyle Fluke (EDN) dec. #18 Colin Johnston (WVU), 2-0
141: Joel Webster (EDN) major dec. Ryan Romano (WVU), 13-0
149: Torsten Gillespie (EDN) major dec. Jonathon Waldron (WVU), 14-3
157: John Greisheimer (EDN) dec. Kyle Eason (WVU), 7-4
165: #3 Jarrod King (EDN) dec. Donnie Jones (WVU), 6-3
174: Phil Moricone (EDN) major dec. Matt Weston (WVU), 17-9
184: Pat Bradshaw (EDN) tech. fall Robert DeSano (WVU), 18-1 (5:42)
197: Shawn Fendone (EDN) dec. Kyle Rooney (WVU), 5-0



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