1/22/08

WILKES-BARRE–Lycoming’s 13th-ranked wrestling team (7-4) was upset by King’s College (4-7) on Tuesday by a score of 24-20. King's heavyweight Justin Bender posted a match-clinching decision in the final bout of the night in Scandlon Gymnasium.

At 125-pounds, Warrior Noel Faison (Virginia Beach Va.) used a takedown and four sets of three-point near falls to take a 14-0 first period lead over Lenny Viggiano. Faison would then register another near fall early in the second period for a 17-0 technical fall victory.

In the 141-pound bout, Tom Barger (Clearfield, Pa.) chalked up two takedowns in the first period, then added a reversal to take a 6-1 lead in the second. However, his opponent countered with an escape, a takedown and a near fall to tie the match at 6-6 heading into the third period. Neither wrestler scored in the final frame but Barger gained a riding time point for a 7-6 victory and an 8-5 Warrior advantage in team scoring.

After dropping two decisions, the Warriors responded at 165 pounds when Chris Dahlheimer (Felton, Pa.) pinned Ryan Trees in 2:51 to put the Warriors up 14-11.

The Monarchs scored a 13-4 major decision at 174 pounds to regain the lead, 15-14. Then 189-pound Zach Martinez shrugged off a quick takedown by Lycoming’s Troy Hayre (Falls Church, Va.), before scoring a sudden pin at 1:33 to give the Monarchs a 21-14 lead with two matches left.

At 197, eighth-ranked (Intermat.com) Warrior Matt Miller (Muncy, Pa.) drew Lycoming to within 21-20 when he pinned Jon Wood in 2:27. But Bender sealed the Monarchs’ victory with a decision at heavyweight.

The Warriors travel to Jamestown, N.Y. for the Jayhawk Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 26.

King's 24, Lycoming 20
125 – Noel Faison (L) tech fall Lenny Viggiano (Ki), 17-0, 3:17
133 – David Morgan (Ki) tech fall Andrew Lewis (L), 19-4, 5:11                 
141 – Tom Barger (L) dec. Tony Miele (Ki), 7-6
149 – Frankie Davis (Ki) dec. Mike Maurer (L), 7-3
157 – Taylor Green (Ki) dec. Zach Frederick (L), 7-1   
165 – Chris Dahlheimer (L) pinned Ryan Trees (Ki), 2:51
174 – Mike Reilly (Ki) major dec. Nick Lansberry (L), 13-4     
184 – Zach Martinez (Ki) pinned Troy Hayre (L), 1:33   
197 – Matt Miller (L) pinned Jon Wood (Ki), 2:27
285 – Justin Bender (Ki) dec. Troy Hansen (L), 6-3