College Wrestling
Rider University 27, Sacred Heart University 9
LAWRENCEVILLE?On Senior Day, the Broncs were led to a come-from-behind victory by, fittingly, a pair of seniors. “It was really nice to see both of the seniors finish in the fashion that they did,” said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. “It was nice to have their parents here. It is a special moment for them, an emotional moment. It is kind of bittersweet, because we will miss both of these young men.”
The Broncs won seven of 10 bouts with four major decisions and a tech fall to defeat Sacred Heart in a Colonial Athletic Association dual meet Sunday afternoon.
Rider senior Jason Lapham (West Chazy, NY/Beekmantown), ranked 29th in the nation and third in the CAA, won by tech fall to tie the score at 9-9. “I felt good today, but it feels weird being my last hurrah,” Lapham said. “I was pumped for today.”
Senior Doug Umbehauer (Shamong, NJ/Lenape), ranked sixth in the nation and second in the CAA, won by major decision. “I was a little emotional before the match, a little chocked up, and didn't get off to a good start,” Umbehauer said, “but it ended up finishing well.”
“They are both great guys and they are both great wrestlers,” Taylor said of Lapham and Umbehauer. “Coach (John) Hangey and I have really enjoyed spending time and working with them.”
Lapham came to Rider from Penn State University, after a stellar High School career when he was a four-time New York State Place winner and a four-time District Champion. “It was very much a good decision to come here from Penn State,” Lapham said.
Last year at Rider Lapham placed fourth at the prestigious Midlands Tournament and went 7-1 in CAA duals and 3-1 in the CAA tournament, placing third.
“Last year when we hosted Purdue,” Lapham remembered, “that is one of my fondest memories of wrestling here in Alumni Gym. I stuck the kid who is ranked in the top 10 right now. It was a good match and the crowd went crazy. That was one of my best moments here.”
This year, as a team captain, Lapham won his weight class at the Stroudsburg Open and placed second at the Keystone Classic, and has compiled 22 victories and is 6-1 in the CAA. “This year started off real good, I think I was 9-0 and won the first tournament,” Lapham said, “then I got hurt at the Nittany Lion Open and lost a couple close matches to some ranked wrestlers.”
Umbehauer was a Freshman All-American and a member of the CAA All-Rookie team when he placed runner-up at the CAA Championships. As a sophomore he placed second at the prestigious Midlands, won 28 matches and advanced to the NCAA championships as a CAA Champion. “That year we had a home match against Lehigh and the place was jam packed,” Umbehauer said. “They were ranked nationally and we came back to beat them and I won my match in overtime and the place went nuts. That is one of my fondest memories here in Alumni Gym.”
Last year Umbehauer was again a CAA champion and won 27 matches, including two at Nationals, one win away from All-America honors. This year he placed third at Midlands and owns a record of 17-3, including 6-1 in the CAA. His career mark now stands at 83-33.
For Rider (7-7, 4-2 CAA) on Sunday, junior Mike Ward (Mayfield, Ohio/Mayfield Village) won by a major decision to give Rider a 13-9 lead in the come-from-behind victory.
Junior Michael Kessler (Randallstown, MD/Owings Mills), ranked 25th in the nation and second in the CAA, won by a major decision.
Junior Mike Miller (Wilmington, DE/Brandywine) won by a major decision
Junior Ed Bordas (Montgomery, NY/Valley Central), ranked 31st in the nation and first in the CAA, won in overtime.
Sophomore Tim Trivisonno (East Windsor, NJ/Hightstown) won for the final score.
Sacred Heart (6-10, 0-6 CAA) won the first three bouts to take a 9-0 lead. “You want to win some of those, but we knew their best wrestlers were the lightweights so it was not a surprise that they jumped out to a lead,” Taylor said.
The CAA Championship tournament is March 6-7 at Old Dominion. “Our intensity has picked up,” Taylor said. “Technically we've got some young guys who are still learning, but that's part of being a freshman.”
“Doug is seeded second in the CAA since he lost to the wrestler from Binghamton, but Doug is seeded higher on the national level,” Taylor said. “They are both very good. Doug has also beaten that kid so it will go either way at the CAAs.”
“I'd like to avenge that loss to the Binghamton kid, hopefully in the finals,” Umbehauer said.
“Jason is in a tough weight class in the CAA, with three wrestlers ranked,” Taylor said. “All three of us are ranked in the top 30,” Lapham said. “I'm just going there looking to win it.”
“I want to do well at the CAAs, go back to Nationals (for the fourth time) and reach the finals,” Umbehauer said.
Rider 27, Sacred Heart 9
133 Cory Dunn-SH dec. Jimmy Kirchner-R 12-6 0-3
141 Chris Davis-SH dec. Fred Rodgers-R 3-2 0-6
149 Anthony Priore-SH dec. Aaron Nestor-R 8-3 0-9
157 Michael Kessler-R major dec. Austin Alpaugh-SH 13-2 4-9
165 Jason Lapham-R tech fall Mike Hartman-SH 16-0 9-9
174 Mike Ward-R major dec. Jonathon Rizzitello-SH 17-6 13-9
184 Doug Umbehauer-R major dec. Brandon Lapp-SH 10-2 17-9
197 Mike Miller-R major dec. Rick Eichenlaub-SH 12-4 21-9
hwt Ed Bordas-R dec. Bill Beiermeister-SH 2-1 ot 24-9
125 Tim Trivisonno-R dec. Michael Impellizeri-SH 5-2 27-9
