Three Scarlet Knights Continue at NCAA Championships
Mar 16 | Wrestling
SESSION II RESULTS TEAM STANDINGS
ST. LOUIS (March 15, 2012) - The Rutgers wrestling team will be represented by Billy Ashnault (South Plainfield, N.J.), Greg Zannetti (Edison, N.J.) and Dan Rinaldi (Lodi, N.J.) on the second day of the 2012 NCAA Championships inside the Scottrade Center. The trio, led by head coach Scott Goodale, individually compiled 1-1 records in the first two sessions of action to continue on to Friday.
Faced with elimination in his first career NCAA tournament, Zannetti was ready to go in his consolation match against Eastern Michigan's Phillip Joseph. The 174-pound Scarlet Knight controlled his foe with three takedowns to power to a 7-3 decision, advancing in his weight's wrestlebacks. Zannetti will face Missouri's Dorian Henderson in Friday's morning session, which is set to begin at 11 a.m. ET.
Ashnault and Rinaldi both dropped close matches in the championship sides of the 141-pound and 197-pound brackets, respectively. Ashnault battled No. 4 Michael Mangrum of Oregon State to the wire in a 5-4 setback. Rinaldi fought No. 2 Chris Honeycutt of Edinboro throughout the bout, but yielded a 6-3 decision to his opponent. Ashnault will face No. 10 Jake Sueflohn of Nebraska to start the second day, with Rinaldi taking on Richard Perry of Bloomsburg.
Ashnault, Zannetti and Rinaldi must win three consecutive matches to earn All-America honors. The Rutgers team stands in a tie for 41st-place with five points.
Scarlet Knights Mario Mason (Moorestown, N.J.) and Scott Winston (Jackson, N.J.) concluded their seasons at the NCAA Championships. Mason was forced to medically forfeit from action at 149 pounds, while Winston dropped two straight decisions to end his tournament at 165 pounds. Both three-time NCAA qualifiers for their careers, Mason concluded his 2011-12 season with a 19-4 overall record, while Winston finished his campaign with a 19-8 mark.
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2012 NCAA Championships
141 pounds: Billy Ashnault (1-1)
Levi Wolfensperger (UNI) W, 2-1 (TB1)
No. 4 Michael Mangrum (Oregon State) L-D, 5-4
No. 10 Jake Sueflohn (Nebraska) Session III
149 pounds: Mario Mason (0-1)
Josh Wilson (Utah Valley) L-D, 4-2 (SV)
Augustus Sako (Virginia) L-Med. Forf.*
165 pounds: Scott Winston (0-2)
No. 12 P.J. Gillespie (Hofstra) L-D, 4-3
Kyle Blevins (Appalachian State) L-D, 4-1
174 pounds: Greg Zannetti (1-1)
No. 11 Justin Zeerip (Michigan) L-D, 3-2
Phillip Joseph (Eastern Michigan) W-D, 7-3
Dorian Henderson (Missouri) Session III
197 pounds: Dan Rinaldi (1-1)
Keith Witt (Kent State) W-D, 8-2
No. 2 Chris Honeycutt (Edinboro) L-D, 6-3
Richard Perry (Bloomsburg) Session III
141 pounds - Billy Ashnault vs. No. 4 Michael Mangrum (Oregon State
First period
1:49 Mangrum takedown, 0-2
Second period
Mangrum chooses down
1:47 Mangrum escape, 0-3
1:03 Mangrum takedown, 0-5
0:44 Ashnault reversal, 2-5
Third period
Ashnault chooses down
1:54 Ashnault escape, 3-5
0:54 Mangrum stalling warning
0:15 Mangrum stalling warning, 4-5
Final: Mangrum wins by decision, 5-4
165 pounds - Scott Winston vs. Kyle Blevins (Appalachian State)
First period
No scoring
Second period
Winston defers, Blevins chooses down
1:24 Blevins escape, 0-1
0:22 Blevins takedown, 0-3
0:22 Winston caution
0:15 Winston escape, 1-3
Third period
Winston chooses down
1:31 Blevins caution
Blevins riding time 1:32
Final: Blevins wins by decision, 4-1
174 pounds - Greg Zannetti vs. Phillip Joseph (Eastern Michigan)
First period
2:21 Zannetti takedown, 2-0
1:58 Joseph escape, 2-1
1:11 Zannetti takedown, 4-1
0:17 Joseph escape, 4-2
Second period
Joseph chooses down
1:45 Joseph escape, 4-3
1:31 Zannetti takedown, 6-3
Third period
Zannetti chooses neutral
0:06 Zannetti stalling warning
Zannetti riding time 2:53
Final: Zannetti wins by decision, 7-3
197 pounds - Dan Rinaldi vs. No. 2 Chris Honeycutt (Edinboro)
First period
1:59 Honeycutt takedown, 0-2
1:01 Rinaldi escape, 1-2
Second period
Rinaldi chooses down
No scoring
0:00 Rinaldi injury time, 1-3
Third period
Honeycutt chooses down
1:35 Honeycutt injury time, Rinaldi chooses down
1:31 Rinaldi escape, 2-3
0:23 Honeycutt takedown, 2-5
0:08 Rinaldi escape, 3-5
Honeycutt riding time 2:51
Final: Honeycutt wins by decision, 6-3
