Jan. 24, 2009
ALLENTOWN, PA -- The Johns Hopkins wrestling team dropped close matches to Ursinus (21-15) and Muhlenberg (22-18) before knocking off Gettysburg in Centennial Conference wrestling action at Muhlenberg on Saturday afternoon. The Blue Jays, who had a chance to beat both Ursinus and Muhlenberg entering the final two bouts of those dual meets, are now 3-6 overall and 1-3 in the Centennial.
The Blue Jays opened against Urinsus and fell behind 21-6 before winnning the final three matches by decision. A pair of pins for the Bears - at 149 and 157 - proved to be the difference as both teams won five bouts, but Ursinus got the two pins to account for the scoring difference.
The Blue Jays were hot early against Muhlenberg as they opened up an 11-0 lead, only to have the Mules win five of the final seven matches to pick up the win. The Blue Jays still led 18-16 entering the final bout, but Muhlenberg's Nick Pallotta pinned Matt Rugani to clinch the victory. The biggest win of the match for Johns Hopkins came at 133, where freshman Michael Testa beat Billy Hall, the 2007 Centennial Champion at 133, 13-7. Hall was the CC runner-up at 141 a year ago.
The Blue Jays used pins by Rocky Barilla (141), Hector Cintron (184) and Tyler Schmidt to fuel the victory over Gettysburg. Hopkins also got a major decision victory by Testa in the win, which was secured when Cintron's pinned Jon Paul in 2:18.
Barilla, Schmidt and Eric Levenseller (165) were all 3-0 on the day, while Testa and Cintron won 2-of-3 matches. Barilla has won nine straight matches and improves to a team-best 22-10. Schmidt improved to 10-1 in his last 11 bouts with his 3-0 mark on Saturday and is now 19-8 on the year.
The Blue Jays will return to action next Saturday (Jan. 31) when they travel to Washington & Lee for a Centennial Conference match.
Ursinus 21, Johns Hopkins 15
125 - Alex Blank (U) dec. Adam Stevens, 10-4
133 - Steve Kingsland (U) dec. Michael Testa, 8-2
141 - Rocky Barilla (JH) dec. James Bloom, 7-1
149 - Connor McCormick (U) pinned Mike Vecchiollo, 1:48
157 - Chris Springer (U) pinned William Selba, 4:29
165 - Eric Levenseller (JH) dec. John Whitham, 5-3
174 - Ben Finelli (U) dec. Mickey Keane, 7-2
184 - Hector Cintron (JH) dec. Nate Murren, 6-5
197 - Tyler Schmidt (JH) dec. Connor McNamara, 6-2
HWT - Matt Rugani (JH) dec. Fernando Jones, 3-0
Muhlenberg 22, Johns Hopkins 18
125 - Adam Stevens (JH) maj. dec. Dan McEnroy, 14-5
133 - Michael Testa (JH) dec. Billy Hall, 13-7
141 - Rocky Barilla (JH) maj. dec. Kevin Homan, 11-0
149 - Rob Kein (M) maj. dec. Chris Ruland, 15-6
157 - Keith Swanson (M) tech fall William Selba, 7:00
165 - Eric Levenseller (JH) maj. dec. Kenneth Ludwig, 14-2
174 - Justin Fitch (M) maj. dec. Mickey Keane, 11-2
184 - Matt Horn (M) dec. Hector Cintron, 13-8
197 - Tyler Schmidt (JH) dec. Bill Sholly, 8-1
HWT - Nick Pallotta (M) pinned Matt Rugani, 1:13
Johns Hopkins-34, Gettysburg-16
125 - Abe Evans (G) maj. dec. Adam Stevens, 15-2
133 - Michael Testa (JH) maj. dec. Michael Slabinski, 11-3
141 - Rocky Barilla (JH) pinned Jack Bostrom, 5:28
149 - Mike Vecchiollo (JH) won by forfeit
157 - Andrew Goldstein (G) pinned William Selba, 0:15
165 - Eric Levenseller (JH) dec. D.J. Neri, 5-3
174 - Mickey Keane (JH) dec. Luke Mitchell, 12-5
184 - Hector Cintron (JH) pinned Jon Paul, 2:18
197 - Tyler Schmidt (JH) pinned Jim Stevenson, 2:30
HWT - Bobby Christopher (G) pinned Matt Rugani, 1:38
