Warriors Strong in Battle of Nation's Best

ITHACA, N.Y. – Lycoming wrestling, rated 12^th in the nation in the latest Brute/Adidas NWCA poll, traveled to Ithaca College on Monday night and defeated the 18^th ranked Bombers 20-15 in a battle of the some of the best wrestlers in NCAA Division III.  The Warriors improved to 4-2-1 on the season while Ithaca falls to 0-1-0 after its first dual match of the season.

The biggest victory for Lycoming in terms of national profile came at 197 pounds when sophomore Matt Miller (Muncy, Pa./Montgomery) bested Nick Calandrino, rated sixth in the class.  Miller earned a 5-3 decision to improve his personal record to 9-1 overall.

Both of Lycoming’s nationally ranked wrestlers came out on top in dominating fashion.  At 133 pounds, sixth rated junior Sean Cullen (Cinnaminson, Pa./Cinnaminson) made quick work of John Paxos with an 8-0 decision.  Senior Tommy Snyder (New Columbia, Pa./Milton), also sixth ranked, earned a 10-1 major decision over Jake Mender in the heavyweight division.

Also winning for the Warriors was sophomore Drew Barder (Millersburg, Pa./Upper Dauphin).  Barder, wrestling at 149 pounds, earned a 4-1 decision over Mike Toscano.

Lycoming entered the night aware that the teams were relatively evenly matched.  With that in mind, the Warriors knew they couldn’t surrender any bonus points to the Bombers.  Lycoming did just that in splitting the 10 bouts with Ithaca as the Warriors earned five bonus points that proved to be the difference in the match.

The Warriors earned three of the bonus points in a forfeit awarded to freshman James Saxton (Cinnaminson, N.J./Cinnaminson) at 125 pounds.

Lycoming is next in action on Friday, December 9, as the Warriors travel to Wilkes University for a MAC dual match.  The meet is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

#12 Lycoming 20, #18 Ithaca 15
December 5, 2005 – Meet Results

125 pounds
James Saxton (Lyco) won by fft.

133 pounds
#6 Sean Cullen (Lyco) dec. John Paxos (IC), 8-0

141 pounds
Scott D’Annunzio (IC) dec. Kyle Hopkins (Lyco), 6-2

149 pounds
Drew Barder (Lyco) dec. Mike Toscano (IC), 4-1

157 pounds
Jad Duca (IC) dec. Eric Miller (Lyco), 4-1

165 pounds
Brian Lockard (IC) dec. Heath Oberlin (Lyco), 6-5

174 pounds
#3 Matthias Keib (IC) dec. Derek Crane (Lyco), 5-2

184 pounds
Robert Stubbs (IC) dec. Tom Daub (Lyco), 11-5

197 pounds
Matt Miller (Lyco) dec. #6 Nick Calandrino (IC), 5-3

Heavyweight
#6 Tom Snyder (Lyco) major dec. Jake Mender (IC), 10-1