WVI Downs Lock Haven, 18-12
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (January 4, 2014) – The West Virginia University wrestling team opened its 2014 home schedule with its sixth consecutive win, defeating Lock Haven, 18-12.
“It wasn't the prettiest of wins, but we will take it,” says coach Craig Turnbull. “We have some things that we will work on, and we know that we can wrestle better. We were able to gain the momentum we needed though to get the win.”
Tied 12-12, freshman Leo Trindade (197) gave WVU a three-point advantage with only one bout to go. Trindade tallied a takedown in the first period, but the Bald Eagles' Phil Sprenkle scored a reversal to even the bout. Trindade was able to escape and took Sprenkle to the mat on his way to a 9-4 decision.
Sophomore A.J. Vizcarrondo (HWT) sealed the match for the Mountaineers, earning his 16th win of the season. He started the second period on the bottom and earned an escape point mid-way through the period. Leading 1-0, Vizcarrondo took Cody Mason to the mat late in the third period for the 3-2 decision.
“Performance is a hard thing to predict in sport, and with this being the first week back from break, I didn't see the same quality of performances that I did earlier in the year, but we got the win, which is what is important,” Turnbull says.
Senior Colin Johnston (141) put WVU's first points on the board, beating No. 20 Dan Neff by decision, 12-7. Johnston earned a quick lead, taking Neff to the mat twice in the first minute of the period. Neff knotted the bout at four with a takedown of his own at the 1:48 mark, but Johnston took the lead back late in the second with his 22nd takedown of the season.
After a first period takedown, junior Mike Morales (149) found himself behind 4-1 in the second period after giving up a reversal to Mac Maldrelli. He battled within one though with a reversal of his own, then took his first lead of the bout with a two-point near fall. A pair of third period takedowns by Morales sealed the decision, 11-5.
Junior Brutus Scheffel (157) continued the Mountaineers' momentum, downing Elias Biddle by decision, 5-4. Scheffel took the lead with his 20th takedown of the year in the first period. A second period reversal and late escape sealed the bout.
With the score deadlocked 9-9, sophomore Bubba Scheffel (174) fell behind early, but rebounded with a reversal to knot the bout at two. A second reversal gave Scheffel his first lead of the match. He wouldn't look back, scoring a takedown and riding time on the way to a 7-2 decision and his team-leading 24th win of the year.
The Mountaineers return to the mat on Jan. 18 against No. 4 Oklahoma State. The match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum.
Match-by-Match Results
125: Kaleb LeMaire wins by decision over Cory Stainbrook (6-1)
133: Cody Wheeler wins by decision in extra time over Nathan Pennesi (3-1)
141: Colin Johnston wins by decision over No. 20 Dan Neff (12-7)
149: Mike Morales wins by decision over Mac Maldrelli (11-5)
157: Brutus Scheffel wins by decision over Elias Biddle (5-4)
165: Jake Kremerer wins by decision over Ross Renzi (3-2)
174: Bubba Scheffel wins by decision over Dylan Caprio (7-2)
184: No. 13 Fred Garcia wins by decision over Mac Mancuso (4-2)
197: Leo Trindade wins by decision over Phil Sprenkle (9-4)
HWT: A.J. Vizcarrondo wins by decision over Cody Mason (3-2)
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