LYCOMING WRESTLING FINISHES THIRD AT BUDD WHITEHILLS

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Lycoming College wrestling team finished in third place at the 2005 Budd Whitehill Division III Duals, splitting a pair of matches during the final day of competition. The Warriors dropped their only match of the tournament to top-seed Springfield College, 23-12, in the semifinals. Lycoming, however, rebounded to defeat third-seeded College of New Jersey, 20-14, in the consolation match.

Against Springfield, the Warriors won four matches but could not claim any bonus points. Nick Mascellino (So./Hopatcong, N.J.; Hopatcong) and Sean Cullen (So./Cinnaminson, N.J.; Cinnaminson) got things off to a good start with back-to-back decisions at 125 and 133 pounds. Mascellino won 6-3, while Cullen won 9-6. Grant Brindle (Jr./Pine Grove, Pa.; Pine Grove) added a 10-6 decision at 165  pounds, and Kevin Colton Craig (Sr./Flanders, N.J.; West Morris Mendham) recorded a 1-0 decision at 197 pounds.

Versus the College of New Jersey, Lycoming won 6-of-10 bouts. Cullen scored the Warriors’ first points with a 9-1 major decision at 133. Eric Snyder (Sr./Milton, Pa.; Milton) followed with a 6-3 decision at 141. With the match tied at 7-7, Lycoming ran off three consecutive victories at 157, 165, and 174 pounds. Jason Smith (Jr./Hughesville, Pa.; Hughesville) started the run with a 9-1 major decision. Eric Miller (So./Muncy, Pa.; Montgomery) followed with a 3-1 decision. Derek Crane (Sr./Elizabethtown, Pa.; Elizabethtown) ended the trifecta with a 3-2 decision, giving the Warriors a 17-7 lead. The Lions won the next two bouts to close within 17-14 entering the heavyweight bout. Tommy Snyder (Jr./New Columbia, Pa.; Milton) then secured the victory with a 2-1 decision.

Ithaca College was named the tournament champion with victories over the College of New Jersey (20-14) and Springfield (22-14) on Saturday.