December 29, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Wrestling

Rider at Midlands

Jenkins 6^th, Harrington 8th

            EVANSTON, ILLINOIS--Two members of the Rider University wrestling team placed among the top eight in their weight class at the prestigious Midlands Championships over the weekend.

Senior Derek Jenkins (Schnecksville, PA/Parkland), ranked ninth in the nation at the 157 pounds and the third seed at Midlands, placed sixth.  Jenkins fell to the sixth seed, Alex Tirapelle of Illinois, currently ranked 10^th in the nation, 5-4 in overtime in the battle for fifth place.

Jenkins defeated Tirapelle 5-2 in the quarterfinals.  In the semi-finals Jenkins was pinned by the #2 seed, fifth ranked Keaton Anderson of Ohio State, in 5:59.

In the consolations, Jenkins lost to the fourth seed, ninth ranked Derek Zinck of Lehigh, 4-2.

Senior Nick Harrington (Stockton/Hunterdon Central), ranked 16^th in the nation at 165 pounds, lost to the top seed, Joe Haskett of the Sunkist Wrestling Club, in the quarter-finals.  Haskett is a former All-American at Iowa State.  In the consolation round, Harrington defeated the 10^th seed, Doc Vecchio of Penn State, 6-3, before losing to Kevin Carr of Central Michigan 10-8.  In the battle for seventh place, Harrington lost to the seventh seed, 11^th ranked Nick Passolano of Iowa State.

The Broncs travel to Hampton, Virginia for the Virginia Duals January 10-11.

-RU-