College Wrestling

Rutgers University 18, Rider University 16

PISCATAWAY?The Broncs won five of the nine bouts after forfeiting at 125 but lost to Rutgers at the RAC Saturday evening. “I thought we wrestled hard,” said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. “There was a nice crowd, a lot of people there, and it was a very good match.”

Rider senior Doug Umbehauer (Shamong, NJ/Lenape), ranked fifth in the nation by Amateur Wrestling News and sixth by InterMat, won by a 20-7 major decision. “Doug was trying to pin him but the Rutgers kid did what he had to do to not get pinned,” Taylor said.  

Rider junior Mike Miller (Wilmington, DE/Brandywine) won 7-5 in overtime at 197.

Rider junior Ed Bordas (Montgomery, NY/Valley Central) won 8-2 at heavyweight for the final score.

Freshman Jimmy Kirchner (Somerville) won 1-0 at 133 to get Rider on the board, and sophomore Nick Weaver (Bayville, N.J./Central Regional) won, after missing several weeks with an injury, at 149 to cut the lead to 9-6. “Nick was better on his feet and made it count for him,” Taylor said.

Rider junior Michael Kessler (Randallstown, MD/Owings Mills), ranked 20^th by Amateur Wrestling News, lost 3-2 to Scott Winston, ranked 13^th by InterMat and 17^th by Amateur Wrestling News.

Rider and Rutgers have now met 15 times, with Rider winning 12, including the previous five. The last time Rutgers defeated Rider was during the 2003 season.

Rider will now compete at Clarion January 31.

Rider Rutgers

125: Matt Fusco (Rutgers) won by forfeit                                                                          6-0

133: Jimmy Kirchner (Rider) dec. Mike Demarco (Rutgers)                       1-0                    6-3

141: Trevor Melde (Rutgers) dec. Fred Rodgers (Rider)                           3-0                    9-3

149: Nick Weaver (Rider) dec. Kellen Bradley (Rutgers)                            9-6                    9-6

157: Scott Winston (Rutgers) dec. Michael Kessler (Rider)                       3-2                    12-6

165: Matt Pletcher (Rutgers) dec. Jason Lapham (Rider)                          3-2 (ot)              15-6

174: Mike Whalen (Rutgers) dec. Mike Ward (Rider)                                 8-3                    18-6

184: Doug Umbehauer (Rider) major dec. McPaul Ogbonna (Rutgers)      20-7                  18-10

197: Mike Miller (Rider) dec. Karim Mahmoud (Rutgers)                           7-5 (ot)              18-13

285: Ed Bordas (Rider) dec. DJ Russo (Rutgers)                                       8-2                    18-16