WVU Takes Five Bouts, Falls 19-15 to No. 10 Sooners
February 6, 2014
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (February 6, 2014) – The West Virginia University wrestling team dropped its final Big 12 Conference dual match of the season to No. 10 Oklahoma, 19-15, tonight at the WVU Coliseum.
The Mountaineers (9-5, 0-3 Big 12) picked up five individual wins against the Sooners, including two over ranked opponents.
“I was pleased with our approach and we were ready to wrestle,” says coach Craig Turnbull. “I really believe we will come back strong and continue to get better.”
Senior Colin Johnston (141), ranked No. 14, extended his win streak to four, all coming against ranked opponents. Johnston struck first against No. 20 Nick Lester, taking him down in the final minute of the first period. Leading 2-0 into the third period, Johnston tallied his team-high 30th and 31st takedowns of the season to seal the 6-2 decision. He now is 24-5 on the season and 13-1 in dual matches.
“Colin continues to wrestle good matches, defeating his fourth-straight ranked opponent. He is gaining a lot of confidence heading into the right time of year,” Turnbull says.
At heavyweight, sophomore A.J. Vizcarrondo notched his second victory over a ranked opponent this season. He scored first with a takedown midway through the first period against No. 17 Ross Larson. Larson knotted the bout at two, but Vizcarrondo tallied his second takedown of the match in the second period to regain a two point advantage. After a third takedown and an escape, Vizcarrondo won the decision, 9-7.
Freshman Cory Stainbrook opened the match with a 6-0 decision over the Sooners' Sean Williams. Stainbrook wasted no time scoring a first period takedown. Starting the second in the down position, Stainbrook tallied an escape point and took Williams to mat for a second time. Stainbrook finished the bout with more than three minutes of riding time.
At 149 pounds, junior Mike Morales scored a first period takedown against Joshua Durham. Morales rode Durham out in the second period, starting the third with more than four minutes of riding time. In the third period, he scored an escape point after starting down. Morales took Durham down for the second time on his way to earning a 6-1 decision.
Sophomore Bubba Scheffel (174) earned his team-high 25th win of the season, defeating Derek Geiges. He rode him out for the entire second period and entered the third with two minutes of riding time, Scheffel escaped after four seconds on bottom, and then took Geiges to the mat to extend his lead to 3-0. Scheffel would hold on for the 5-0 decision to put the Mountaineers back on top, 12-11.
After claiming three of the first five bouts, sophomore Ross Renzi took the mat for West Virginia at 165 pounds. After he fell behind late in the first period, 2-0, to Clark Glass, Renzi cut into the deficit with an escape as time expired in the period. Trailing 3-1 at the start of the third, a quick escape brought him to within one, but it proved not to be enough, as Glass held on for the decision.
The Mountaineers will be back in action tomorrow against Davidson at 7:30 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum. The match will be senior night, honoring Nathan Pennesi, Mac Mancuso and Johnston.
Oklahoma 19 WVU 10
125: Cory Stainbrook (WVU) wins by decision over Sean Williams (OU), 6-0
133: No. 7 Cody Brewer (OU) wins by major decision over Nathan Pennesi (WVU), 18-6
141: No. 14 Colin Johnston (WVU) wins by decision over No. 20 Nick Lester (OU), 6-2
149: Mike Morales (WVU) wins by decision over Joshua Durham (OU), 6-1
157: No. 2 Kendric Maple (OU) wins by major decision over Tim Wheeling (WVU), 12-0
165: Clark Glass (OU) wins by decision over Ross Renzi (WVU), 3-2
174: Bubba Scheffel (WVU) wins by decision over Derek Geiges (OU), 5-0
184: No. 1 Andrew Howe (OU) wins by major decision over Mac Mancuso (WVU), 24-9
197: No. 4 Travis Rutt (OU) wins by major decision over Leo Trindade (WVU), 12-3
HWT: A.J. Vizcarrondo (WVU) wins by decision over No. 17 Ross Larson (OU), 9-7
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