College Wrestling
Rider Fifth at CAAs-Day One
LAWRENCEVILLE-The Broncs advanced two to the finals Saturday and six other Broncs are alive in consolations in the Colonial Athletic Association Championships, hosted by Rider.
As a team, Rider is fifth of eight teams. "I thought we wrestled hard," said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. "We were close in a couple of areas. In most cases when we got beat we were beaten by wrestlers who are more talented. Some of our kids are young and not as experienced."
Competing in the finals for Rider on Saturday are senior 149 Michael Kessler (Randallstown, MD/Owings Mills) and senior heavyweight Ed Bordas (Montgomery, NY/Valley Central). "I thought Kessler was a real bright spot," Taylor said. "When he wrestles he is an extremely gifted athlete. I was pleased that he went out and wrestled."
A three-time NCAA qualifier, Kessler will face the second seed, Donnie Vinson of Binghamton in the finals. "Mike has a real tough kid tomorrow," Taylor said.
Bordas, the two time defending champion, returns to the finals Saturday to face the second seed, Kyle Frey of Drexel. "Eddie did what he needed to do to win, and that's the bottom line," Taylor said.
In the consolations are sophomore 133 Jimmy Kirchner (Somerville), junior 141 Matt Bradley (Jackson/Jackson Memorial), freshman 157 Zac Cibula (Luxenburg, Wis./Casco), junior 165 Rob Morrison (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff), freshman 174 Jim Resnick (Media, Pa./Penncrest) and senior 184 Mike Ward (Mayfield, Ohio/Mayfield Village).
"We have to wrestle well on Saturday," Taylor said, "to come back and finish as high as we can."
Junior Ilyass Elmsaouri (Camp Hill, PA/Cedar Cliff) lost twice.
Team Standings after semifinals: Binghamton 64.5, Old Dominion 55, Hofstra 35.5, Drexel 33.5, Rider 31, George Mason 23, Boston U. 16, Sacred Heart 6.5
#1 Ed Bordas-R wbf Adam Barnette-GMU 4:27 in the quarterfinals
#1 Ed Bordas-R dec. Grant Chapman-ODU 2-1 2nd tb in the semifinals
#1 Michael Kessler-R tech fall Jeff Rotella-H 15-0 in quarterfinal
#1 Michael Kessler-R dec. #4 John Nicholson-ODU 8-2 in semifinals
#3 Jimmy Kirchner-R tech fall #6 Denny Herndon, GMU 15-0 in quarterfinals
#2 Luke Vaith-H dec. #3 Jimmy Kirchner-R 6-5 in semifinals
#4 Matt Bradley-R wbf #5 Jaaziah Betha-GMU 2:55 in quarterfinal
#1 Anwar Goeres-Bing dec. #4 Matt Bradley-R 10-7 in semifinals
#4 Rob Morrison-R dec. #5 Frankie McLaughlin-GMU 9-6 in quarterfinals
#1 Chris Brown-ODU dec. #4 Rob Morrison-R 14-3 in semifinals
#4 Jim Resnick-R dec. #5 Dave Woodall-D 14-12 in quarterfinals
#1 Bagna Tovuujav-GMU tech fall #4 Jim Resnick-R 20-5 in semifinals
#5 Anthony Priore-SH dec. #4 Zac Cibula-R 7-4 in quarterfinals
#4 Zac Cibula-R wbf Ben Mandebraut-BU 4:14 in consolations
#4 Justin Wieler-D dec. #5 Mike Ward-R 2-1 in quarterfinals
#5 Mike Ward-R dec. Andrew Rock-GMU 5-3 in consolations
#4 Fred Santaite-BU wbf #5 Ilyass Elmsaouri-R 1:53 in quarterfinals
Jamie Franco-H vs. dec. #5 Ilyass Elmsaouri-R 10-4 in consolations.
