Rutgers Edged at Virginia Tech 24-21
Jan 18 | Wrestling
BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Rutgers wrestling team (17-5) dropped a hard-fought bout to Virginia Tech (12-0), 24-21, Sunday afternoon in Blacksburg, Va. With the loss, the Scarlet Knights were unable to pick up their school record 18th victory of the season.
The Hokies opened the bout earning 12 quick points as No. 11 Jarrod Garnett pinned freshman Matt Fusco (Belleville, N.J.) at 125 and redshirt freshman Brian Bollette (Newton, N.J.) was forced to withdraw due to injury at 133. Freshman Trevor Melde (Hewitt, N.J.) put RU on the board with a 2-1 decision over No. 17 Chris Diaz at 141, and redshirt sophomore David Greenwald (Union, N.J.) won by forfeit at 149.
Trailing 12-9, RU reeled off three consecutive wins to take a 21-12 advantage. First freshman Scott Winston (Jackson, N.J.) pinned his opponent in the 157-pound bout, then seniors Matt Pletcher (Eastampton, N.J.) and Mike Whalen (Lake Hiawatha, N.J.) earned decisions at 165 and 174, respectively.
But the Scarlet Knights were unable to hold the lead, as sophomore McPaul Ogbonna (East Hanover, N.J.) fell at 184, 6-1, and redshirt junior Karim Mahmoud (Wallington, N.J.) was pinned at 197, tying the match at 21. In the final and deciding match, the Hokies David Marone was able to defeat redshirt sophomore DJ Russo (Netcong, N.J.) at heavyweight, 10-6, giving VT the 24-21 victory.
Rutgers was scheduled to face Virginia Military Institute as well, but the Keydets were unable to make the trip because of icy roads and weather conditions.
PACK THE RAC:
RU will attempt to pick up its school record 18th victory of the season on Saturday, Jan. 24, when it wrestles Rider at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Tickets for that match are on sale now. Fans can log on to www.ScarletKnights.com or call the Rutgers Ticket Office at 866-445-GORU. Reserved seating is 12 dollars, general admission is seven dollars and children under 12 and seniors are five dollars. Rutgers students enter free with their valid RU ID. Four of the top high school teams in the state (Queen of Peace, Howell, High Point and Long Branch) will wrestle at 4:00 p.m., followed by RU vs. Rider at 6:00 p.m.
Virginia Tech (12-0) 24, Rutgers (17-5) 21
125: #11 Jarrod Garnett (VT) fall Matt Fusco (RU), 2:08 6-0 VT
133: Will Livingston (VT) inj. def. Brian Bollette (RU), 3:00 12-0 VT
141: Trevor Melde (RU) dec. #17 Chris Diaz (VT), 2-1 12-3 VT
149: David Greenwald (RU) wins by forfeit 12-9 VT
157: #15 Scott Winston (RU) fall Jesse Dong (VT), 1:31 15-12 RU
165: Matt Pletcher (RU) dec. Matt Epperly (VT), 7-4 18-12 RU
174: Mike Whalen (RU) dec. Anthony Trongone (VT), 4-1 21-12 RU
184: Tommy Spellman (VT) dec. McPaul Ogbonna (RU), 6-1 21-15 RU
197: D.J. Bruce (VT) fall Karim Mahmoud (RU), 1:39 21-21
285: David Marone (VT) dec. DJ Russo (RU), 10-6 21-24 VT
