NCAA Wrestling Championships

Broncs Go 4-3 Day One, All Three Still Alive

PHILADELPHIA, PA-Three Rider University wrestlers were a combined 4-3 on the first day of the 81^st annual NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, hosted by Rider and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference at the Wells Fargo Center.

"We just want to keep this thing going," said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. "I am pleased that Zac came back and got a win, I am pleased that Robbie got two wins after his overtime loss and I'm pleased Jim got a good first round win. It's great that all three are still alive."

Sophomore Jim Resnick (Media, Pa./Penncrest) lost 6-0 in the second round against the seventh seed, Shane Onufer of Wyoming. "That match was very close up until the last minute," Taylor said. "Resnick tried to force a tilt. He came close a couple of times but just didn't get it."

Resnick upset the tenth seed, Zach Toal of Missouri, 6-0 in the first round of the 165 pound weight class. "Jim got off to a real good start," Taylor said.

Resnick (20-8) will now face Joe Booth of Drexel in the consolations Friday morning. "They split their two matches during the season," Taylor said. Resnick beat the top seeded Booth in the CAA Championship tournament in their last meeting. "Booth is very talented," Taylor said.

Sophomore Zac Cibula (Luxemburg, Wisconsin/Luxemburg Casco) defeated Dan Osleman of Michigan State 8-7 in overtime in the consolations. "They both wore each other down," Taylor said. "That was a hard fought battle."

Cibula lost 9-0 to the second seed, Frank Molinaro of Penn State in the first round of the 149 pound weight class. Friday morning Cibula (28-11) will wrestle Eric Terrazas of Illinois.

Senior Rob Morrison (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff) defeated Matt Demichiel of Navy 4-2 (sv) in the consolations before defeating Benjamin Jordan of Wisconsin 9-7 in the consolations late Thursday night. "He wrestled sharper in the consolations," Taylor said.

Morrison (31-8) lost 4-1 in overtime to Dorian Henderson of Missouri in the 174 pound pigtail round.  "Robbie had a tough first match," Taylor said. "It looked like he had the take down (for the win in regulation) but didn't get it. He's wrestled well."

On Friday Morrison will take on Jacob Swartz of Boise. "They are all tough from here on out," Taylor said.

The second round of consolations begins Friday morning.

Morrison was ranked 20^th in the nation in the final regular season rankings and the top seed in the Colonial Athletic Association 174 pound weight class. Morrison comes from a long line of outstanding wrestlers. His All-American Father Tim Morrison finished fifth at 1983 NCAA Championships, his uncle Dan Morrison entered 1982 NCAA championships 40-0 with 15 pins and his older brother TJ Morrison was four-time NCAA qualifier (2005-08), all for Rider.

Cibula was named the Colonial Athletic Association Championship Most Outstanding Wrestler, winning his 149 pound weight class. Cibula was a four-time Wisconsin High School State Champion.

Resnick is a local wrestler, growing up just 10 minutes from the South Philadelphia sports complex who won the Keystone Classic this year. This is Resnick's second trip to Nationals in as many seasons.

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