College Wrestling
Rider University 30, Boston University 6
Colonial Athletic Association Dual
T.J. Morrison 100th career win
BOSTON, Mass.?The Rider University wrestling team won seven of nine contested matches and defeated the Terriers of Boston University in a Colonial Athletic Association dual Saturday afternoon at Case Gym.
For the Broncs, senior 197 T.J. Morrison (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff) picked up the 100th win of his career with a 5-2 decision, the 12th Rider wrestler and second this season to hit the century mark in victories.
“It means a lot for me personally having had his father [Rider Athletics Hall of Fame member] Tim wrestle for me,” said head coach Gary Taylor, who is in his 30th season as head coach. “With the type of schedule that we have always had, achieving 100 wins is a major, major accomplishment. T.J. has been one of the steadfast people in our program and he has helped us win a lot of matches.” Tim Morrison, a 1983 190 pound All-American and Rider grad, was inducted into the Rider Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993 and had 89 career wins in three seasons.
“It was alright,” said Morrison about the 100th win. “It's another step in the process, another piece of the puzzle in the effort to get back to nationals. It's nice to get number 100 but I have my sights set on bigger things for myself and the team."
Morrison, a Wrestling Coaches Association Academic honoree, has advanced to nationals three times and is looking for a fourth.
“You have to work everyday in the room and wrestle hard every time on the mat,” said Morrison. “No matter how you feel, you have to wrestle to the best of your ability. No one cares if you are tired or hurt or don't feel well that day. You have to show up everyday and that's what I've tried to get across to the younger wrestlers. The underclassmen have a lot of fight and they are wrestling really tough. They have done a really good job.”
Senior 149 Don Fisch (Williamstown/Delsea), who posted a 5-2 win against BU, secured his 100th win against George Mason on January 18.
“Fisch beat Mike Roberts who earlier this season defeated the 2006 national champion at the Southern Scuffle so that was a solid win for Donnie,” said Taylor.
“T.J. is my first second generation wrestler to coach,” Taylor added. “I am extremely proud of T.J. hitting the 100 win mark. Both Donnie [Fisch] and T.J. have been solid for us and great teammates in the last five years. They came in together and it means a lot to have both of them achieve this milestone in the same season.”
Always a family affair at Rider, Morrison was especially proud that his brother, sophomore 157 Rob Morrison got to witness first hand his historic win. “Robbie and I both won twice so it's good when two people are happy in the same house,” said T.J. “You have friends on the team and that's good but having your own brother with you a lot, it's really nice. I enjoy it. It's fun rooting him on and being with him; it kind of reminds me of high school again.”
Rider (7-12, 4-3 CAA) junior 165 Jason Lapham (West Chazy, N.Y./Beekmantown) won by fall with sophomore 157 Rob Morrison (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff), junior 184 Doug Umbehauer (Shamong/Lenape), junior heavyweight Ed Bordas (Montgomery, N.Y./Valley Central) and sophomore 133 Thomas Lorenzo (West Orange) winning by decision.
“Jason defeated a kid that recently defeated an Old Dominion wrestler that Jason lost to so that was another solid win for us today,” Taylor added.
The Broncs travel to Fairfield, Connecticut for a CAA dual with Sacred Heart at 8:00pm Saturday night. “With all of the tough competition, we're going to try to get that second win tonight,” said Taylor. “We're working hard to win every match that we can get.”
“T.J. and Donnie have both set the example for the younger wrestlers that if you work hard and stay with it, these types of milestones can be achieved,” Taylor added. “Good things start to happen if you stick to the development process. This is what it is about; hard work and keeping the right attitude."
Rider competes at the CAA Championships on March 7-8 at Hofstra. “We're looking to win it,” said Morrison. “Everything up to now has been practice for March and this is what we've been working toward all year. Hopefully we can win it and go onto nationals and accomplish other goals. We're going to wrestle hard.”
-RU-
Rider 30, Boston University 6
149: Don Fisch (R) dec. Mike Roberts (BU), 5-2 [R, 3-0]
157: Rob Morrison (R) dec. Carlo Ferrandino (BU), 6-4 [R, 6-0]
165: Jason Lapham (R) pinned A.J. Detwiler (BU), 1:59 [R, 12-0]
174: C.J. Inglin (BU) dec. Mike Darling (R), 3-2 [R, 12-3]
184: Doug Umbehauer (R) dec. Alex Brown (BU), 8-4 [R, 15-3]
197: T.J. Morrison (R) dec. John Hall (BU), 5-2 [R, 18-3]
285: Ed Bordas (R) dec. Jim Connors (BU), 2-1 [R, 21-3]
125: Ilyass Elmsaouri (R) wins by forfeit [R, 27-3]
133: Thomas Lorenzo (R) dec. Abbie Rush (BU), 10-4 [R, 30-3]
141: Joey Whitaker (BU) dec. Fred Rodgers (R), 10-5 [R, 30-6]
