College Wrestling
Rider University 23, Boston University 13
LAWRENCEVILLE?The Broncs won six of 10 bouts to defeat Boston U. in a Colonial Athletic Association dual meet Friday night. “Overall we're pleased with the way the team performed tonight,' said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. “We're not just fighting hard, we're technically making some adjustments.”
For Rider (7-7, 4-2 CAA), freshman Jimmy Kirchner (Somerville) won by fall at 133. “Jim is starting to make some good college adjustments,” Taylor said. “He's getting better. He's always had a lot of tenacity, a lot of grit. Now he is starting to understand technically what her can and cannot do.”
“I thought we had a pretty solid performance tonight,” said Kirchner. “Coach told us to go out there and keep the pressure on them and that's what we did.”
Kirchner began his freshman season at 125 pounds was compiled a record of 5-3 before moving up to 133. At 133 his record is now 5-6 for an overall record of 10-9.
“I wanted to wrestle at 125 this year, but I grew three inches and just couldn't get down to 125 anymore,” Kirchner said. “I feel really good at 133. I feel stronger and I can focus on wrestling instead of losing weight. Now I can eat and have fun.”
“I'm fine with Jim at 133,” Taylor said. “I think he is big enough, strong enough.”
“You have to be smarter wrestling in college,” Kirchner said. “Almost all of the matches are close. Everyone is good.”
Kirchner enjoyed a stellar career at Somerville, where he compiled a 132-26 scholastic record. He was a new Jersey State Champion as a senior and was ranked sixth in the nation.
“I was looking at the Air Force Academy, Bloomsburg, Old Dominion and Hofstra,” Kirchner said. “I felt really good here. I got a good vibe. At some of the other places I felt like just another wrestler. here they treated me like a person.”
Senior Doug Umbehauer (Shamong, NJ/Lenape), ranked fifth in the nation and second in the CAA, won by tech fall.
Junior Michael Kessler (Randallstown, MD/Owings Mills), ranked 25th in the nation and second in the CAA, and Rider senior Jason Lapham (West Chazy, NY/Beekmantown), ranked 29th in the nation and third in the CAA, won. “Today was a good day for Kessler to find out he can ride out and turn people,” Taylor said. “Jason beat a good wrestler as well. That was a good match.”
Sophomore Fred Rodgers (Perkiomenville, PA/Boyertown) won to give Rider a 9-3 lead. “Fred is getting better on his feet and getting more offensive,” Taylor said. “He's always been tough. he beat a good kid tonight.”
Junior Ed Bordas (Montgomery, NY/Valley Central), ranked 31st in the nation and first in the CAA, won for the final score.
For BU (6-8-1, 1-4-1 CAA), Mike Roberts, ranked first in the CAA and 17th in the nation, won by a major decision to cut the lead to 9-7. 197 John Hall is tied for second in the CAA rankings and also won for the Terriers.
Rider hosts Sacred Heart in a CAA dual Sunday, the final dual meet of the season. The CAA Championship tournament is March 6-7. “We'll continue to wrestle hard for one more match and then we'll focus on conference and nationals,” Taylor said.
125 Ryan Dowd-BU dec. Filiberto Colon-R 6-5 0-3
133 Jimmy Kirchner-R wbf Ryan Buff-BU 4:04 6-3
141 Fred Rodgers-R dec. Abbie Rush-BU 6-2 9-3
149 Mike Roberts-BU major dec. Aaron Nestor-R 13-5 9-7
157 Michael Kessler-R dec. Ben Mandelbraut-BU 4-0 12-7
165 Jason Lapham-R dec. C.J. Inglin-BU 7-3 15-7
174 Hunter Meys-BU dec. Mike Ward-R 7-3 15-10
184 Doug Umbehauer-R tech fall Carmen Rondash-BU 18-3 20-10
197 John Hall-BU dec. Mike Miller-R 1-0 20-13
hwt Ed Bordas-R dec. Jim Connors-BU 2-0 23-13
