WARRIOR GRAPPLERS DEFEAT ROYALS

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Lycoming College wrestling team hosted the University of Scranton, Thursday evening, for a Middle Atlantic Conference dual match. The Warriors got off to a fast start and recorded three pins in the final four weight classes to defeat the Royals, 34-12. Lycoming improves to 4-3 in dual matches, while Scranton falls to 0-1.

Nick Mascellino (So./Hopatcong, N.J.; Hopatcong) got the Warriors started with a 9-6 decision over Rich Russell (Fr./Livingston, N.J.; Livingston) at 125 pounds. Mascellino used a pair of first period takedowns to take a lead he would never lose in the bout.

Sean Cullen (So./Cinnaminson, N.J.; Cinnaminson) made it two in a row for Lycoming at 133. Cullen dominated Ryan McDaniel (Fr./Hummelstown, Pa.; Hershey) recording three near-falls in the bout for a total of seven points en route to a 14-0 major decision.

At 141 pounds, John Ambs (Sr./Mt. Joy, Pa.; Donegal) stretched the Warriors’ lead to 10-0 with a 6-4 decision over Ryan McCormick (Fr./Marlton, N.J.; Camden Catholic). McCormick opened the bout with a takedown, but Ambs tallied an escape followed by a takedown to take a 3-2 lead after the first period. Ambs started from the down position in the second and scored a reversal for a 5-2 advantage. He then hung on for the two-point decision.

Sean Reese (Sr./Milton, Pa.; Milton) added another decision for Lycoming at 149 pounds. Reese compiled three takedowns en route to an 8-4 decision over Tom Phillips (Sr./Middlebury, Conn.; Pomperauq).

Donell Young (So./Scranton, Pa.; West Scranton) got the Royals on the board with a third-period pin at 157 pounds. Young recorded an escape early in the period to tie the bout at 1-1 and soon after took Jon Carlson (Sr./Emporium, Pa.; Cameron County) down, turning him to his back for the pin.

Scott Hays (So./Yeagertown, Pa.; Indian Valley) responded for the Warriors with a 9-5 decision at 165. Hays used two takedowns and two reversals to defeat Stephen Tatum (Fr./Mickleton, N.J.; Kingsway Regional).

At 174 pounds, Derek Crane (Sr./Elizabethtown, Pa.; Elizabethtown) put Lycoming in a commanding position with a first period pin of Matt Pastore (Fr./Tarrytown, N.Y.; Irvington). The win-by-fall gave the Warriors a 22-6 advantage with just three bouts remaining.

Trevor Needham (Jr./Doylestown, Pa.; LaSalle College) kept Scranton’s hopes alive with a third period pin at 184 pounds. Lycoming’s Troy Hansen (Fr./Westtown, N.Y.; Minisink Valley) jumped out to a 4-0 lead with a takedown and two back-points early in the bout. Needham, however, tallied a pair of escapes and a takedown to knot the match at 4-4 entering the third period. Needham started on top and eventually worked Hansen onto his back for the late win-by-fall.

Kevin Colton Craig (Sr./Flanders, N.J.; West Morris Mendham) secured the team victory for the Warriors with a third-period pin of his own. Craig carried a 5-0 lead over Mike Kelly (Lynbrook, N.Y.; Lynbrook) into the final period before recording the fall 24 seconds in. The pin gave Lycoming a 28-12 lead entering the final bout.

Tommy Snyder (Jr./New Columbia, Pa.; Milton) added a first-period pin over Vince Realmuto (Sr./Amityville, N.Y.; St. Anthony) at heavyweight to push the final score to 34-12.

The Warriors’ next dual match will be on Monday, December 6, when they host Ithaca College. Lycoming will compete in a tournament at Scranton on Sunday, December 5.

Scranton vs. Lycoming Dual Match – December 2, 2004
Wt.   Winner                           Type         Loser                Bout score     Match score (L-S)
125   Nick Mascellino (L)         dec.          Rich Russell           9-6                   3-0
133   Sean Cullen (L)              maj. dec.   Ryan McDaniel       14-0                 7-0
141   John Ambs (L)               dec.           Ryan McCormick   6-4                   10-0
149   Sean Reese (L)             dec.            Tom Phillips           8-4                   13-0
157   Donell Young (S)           wbf             Jon Carlson            5:26                 13-6
165   Scott Hays (L)              dec.            Stephen Tatum       9-5                   16-6
174   Derek Crane (L)            wbf.             Matt Pastore          2:54                 22-6
184   Trevor Needham (S)      wbf              Troy Hansen           6:40                 22-12
197   Kevin Colton Craig (L)   wbf              Mike Kelly              5:24                 28-12
285   Tommy Snyder (L)        wbf              Vince Realmuto      1:32                 34-12