College Wrestling
University of Pennsylvania 21, Rider University 15
PHILADELPHIA, PA-The Broncs won four of 10 bouts but it was not enough to defeat Penn Saturday. "We had our opportunities to win but we didn't do it," said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. "Penn is a solid team every year, a perennial top-25 team."
For Rider (6-5) freshman Zac Cibula (Luxenburg, Wis./Casco) defeated the 16th ranked wrestler in the nation. Cibula was on his way to a major decision, winning 12-4 when Matt Dragon could no longer continue due to injury. "Zac was winning big," Taylor said. "Dragon is very, very good. Zac wrestled really well today."
With the victory Cibula improves to a team-best 10-1 in duals. "Zac keeps plugging away and he looks good doing it. He competes hard."
Rider senior heavyweight Ed Bordas (Montgomery, NY/Valley Central) improved to 21-6 overall, 8-2 in duals with his victory. "Eddie looked good," Taylor said. "He's wrestling well."
Senior Michael Kessler (Randallstown, MD/Owings Mills) improved to 14-8, 9-2 in duals. "Mike wrestled better than he has been," Taylor said.
Rider senior Mike Ward (Mayfield, Ohio/Mayfield Village) also won. "Mike did a nice job for us today," Taylor said.
Rider travels to George Mason for the CAA Duals January 16. "We have to get healed up, get healthy and get our top ten starters in the line up," Taylor said.
125 - Mark Rappo (P) def. Ilyass Elmsaouri (R), 8-3 3-0
133 - Bryan Ortenzio (P) def. Filiberto Colon (R), 5-2 6-0
141 - Zack Kemmerer (P) def. Aaron Nestor (R), 5-4 9-0
149 - Michael Kessler (R) def. Troy Hernandez (P), 6-3 9-3
157 - Zac Cibula (R) def. #16 Matt Dragon (P), injury default 4:20 9-9
165 - #20 Gabriel Burak (P) def. Rob Morrison (R), tech fall 6:00 14-9
174 - Scott Giffin (P) def. Jim Resnick (R), 13-0 18-9
184 - Mike Ward (R) def. Cory Beaver (P), 8-4 18-12
197 - Micah Burak (P) def. #16 Tyler Smith (R), 6-0 21-12
285 - #14 Ed Bordas (R) def. Tyler Blakely (P), 5-1 21-15
