Rutgers Wrestlers Show Strong on Day One at Midlands Championships
Dec 29 | Wrestling
EVANSTON, Ill. (December 29, 2010) - The ninth ranked Rutgers wrestling team put forth a strong performance in the first day of the 48thMidlands Championships on the campus of Northwestern University. RU, who ranks 13 out of 44 teams in the team standings despite only wrestling eight student-athletes due to various injuries and illnesses, has been led by Daryl Cocozzo (River Edge, N.J.) who advanced to the semifinals.
Cocozzo used a 17-1 tech fall over Bronson Gerl of Cal Baptist, a 5-0 decision over Sean Bilodeau of Lehigh and a 6-2 decision over David Bonin of Northern Iowa to advance to the semis where he will meet Kyle John of Maryland tomorrow.
DJ Russo (Netcong, N.J.), Alex Caruso (Green Brook, N.J.), and Dan Rinaldi (Lodi, N.J.) all advanced to the quarterfinals before dropping their quarterfinal matches. The trio of RU grapplers will be back in action tomorrow in their respective consolation brackets. Matt Fusco (Belleville, N.J.) and Trevor Melde (Hewitt, N.J.) will also compete in consolation bracket action tomorrow.
Action at Midlands resumes tomorrow at noon CT.Fans looking to follow the follow the action at Midlands can visit the Official Tournament Site for updated brackets and team standings. Additionally, Takedown Radio will be providing live radio coverage of the event. BRACKETS
RU Wrestlers at Midlands Championships
Matt Fusco - 125 Pounds
First Round: Tyler Iwamura (Cal Bakersfield) dec. Matt Fusco (RU), 2-0
Wrestlebacks: Matt Fusco (RU) m. dec. Ben Willeford (Cleveland State), 12-3
Wrestlebacks: Matt Fusco (RU) m. dec. John Sandoval (Arizona State), 9-1
Wrestlebacks: Matt Fusco (RU) dec. Pat Strizki (Maryland), 3-1
#9 Trevor Melde - 141 Pounds
First Round: Trevor Melde (RU) dec. Scott Mattingly (Central Michigan), 6-1
Second Round: Tristen DeShazar (Northern Illinois) pins Trevor Melde (RU), 0:15
Wrestlebacks: Trevor Melde (RU) pins Aaron Nestor (Rider), 2:03
Wrestlebacks: Trevor Melde (RU) m. dec. Cody Farinella (Missouri), 9-1
Nick Visicaro - 157 Pounds
First Round: Pierce Harger (Northwestern) dec. Nick Visicaro (RU), 7-1
Wrestlebacks: Nick Visicaro (RU) dec. David Helmer (Northwestern), 8-5
Wrestlebacks: Nick Visicaro (RU) tech. fall Bronson Gerl (Cal Baptist), 19-4 (5:45)
Wrestlebacks: Jackson Morse (Illinois) dec. Nick Visicaro (RU), 12-5
#6 Daryl Cocozzo - 157 Pounds
Second Round: Daryl Cocozzo (RU) tech. fall Bronson Gerl (Cal Baptist), 17-1 (4:30)
Third Round: Daryl Cocozzo (RU) dec. #11 Sean Bilodeau (Lehigh), 5-0
Quarterfinal: Daryl Cocozzo (RU) dec. David Bonin (Northern Iowa), 6-2
#6 Alex Caruso - 174 Pounds
Second Round: Alex Caruso (RU) dec. Ben Friedl (Illinois), 1-0
Third Round: Alex Caruso (RU) dec. Brice Wolf (Northern Illinois), 3-2
Quarterfinal: #3 Ben Bennett (Central Michigan) dec. Alex Caruso (RU), 1-0
#5 Dan Rinaldi - 184 Pounds
First Round: Dan Rinaldi (RU) m. dec. Cameron Croy (Harvard), 9-1
Second Round: Dan Rinaldi (RU) dec. #12 Lee Munster (Northwestern), 6-3
Quarterfinal: #4 Josh Ihnen (Nebraska) dec. Dan Rinaldi (RU), 3-2
Mike Wagner - 197 Pounds
First Round: #4 Byron Tate (Wartburg) dec. Mike Wagner (RU), 6-3
Wrestlebacks: Mike Wagner (RU) m. dec. Phil Hawes (Iowa State), 12-4
Wrestlebacks: Derrick Borlie (Wisconsin) dec. Mike Wagner (RU), 9-4
No. 3 DJ Russo - 285 Pounds
Second Round: DJ Russo (RU) dec. Spencer Myers (Maryland), 3-2
Third Round: DJ Russo (RU) dec. Matt Gibson (Iowa State), 8-5
Quarterfinal: #6 Jarod Trice (Central Michigan) dec. DJ Russo (RU), 9-3
