Lycoming Drops Heartbreaker to Ithaca
Team Point Battle Comes Down to Final Period

WIILIAMSPORT, Pa.—The Lycoming wrestling team took on Ithaca College on Friday night at Lamade Gymnasium. The teams engaged in a thrilling point battle that came down to the final weight class and the final period.

The action started at 125 pounds with Joe Palmitessa (Scranton, PA) defeating Jon Gregory 7-5. Veteran Sean Cullen (Cinnaminson, NJ) then dominated his man to win 8-0 at 133. 141-pounder Kyle Hopkins (Milton, DE) fended off a desperate final period flurry to defeat his opponent 3-2.

At 149 pounds, Zach Frederick (West Chester, PA) racked up an efficient 7-0 victory, then 157-pounder Drew Barder (Millersburg, PA) took on Scott Edwards. Their match ended in a 1-1 tie. In overtime, Barder hung on for dear life and emerged victorious 4-2. At this point, the Warriors were shutting out the Bombers, but Ithaca’s best wrestlers were waiting.

Lycoming’s Eddie Brown (Rutherford, NJ) was beaten by John Dale 7-0, and Warrior Clinton Gardener (Montoursville, PA) was pinned with 24 seconds left on the clock. 184-pounder Bryan Kopesky (Phillipsburg, NJ) then lost 8-1 to Ithaca’s Nick Calandrino, and Lycoming’s Matt Miller (Muncy, PA) fell 4-2. This final slide tied the match 17-17 with one weight class to go.

In the final and deciding battle, 197-pound Troy Hansen (Westtown, NY) stepped up to heavyweight to take on Ithaca’s hulking Joe Goetz. The smaller Hansen was able to maneuver around Goetz’ girth, but the match ended in a tie. After an intense overtime, Goetz emerged victorious 7-5 and the Bombers claimed a 20-17 team win.

Ithaca, who previously saw the Warriors at the season-opening Ithaca Invitational, will return to Lamade Gymnasium for the Budd Whitehill Duals (Jan. 12-13).

Lycoming’s next competition will be after the holidays at Wilkes’ John Reese Duals, scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m., January 4.