College Wrestling
Rider University 20*, University of Wisconsin 19,
Wins on Criteria #4 (first takedown)
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ— Badgers are fierce animals capable of fighting off much larger animals, such as wolves and bears. Against Broncs, however, Badgers do not fare as well, or at least they did not Thursday night in the Broncs' Zoo.
To paraphrase the Mexican bandit in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, “Badgers? We ain't gonna lose to no stinkin' badgers.”
The Broncs won five of 10 bouts and won on criteria to upset the 16th ranked Wisconsin Badgers Thursday evening. It was the first time the Broncs defeated a BIG 10 team since January, 2010 when Rider defeated Purdue.
“I have a lot of respect for Wisconsin,” said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. “They are a tough team. To beat them is a very good night.”
For Rider (3-1), senior Chuck Zeisloft (Woodbury Heights, NJ/Gateway) upset the 19th ranked 141 in the nation with a takedown in overtime, the only takedown of the bout. “They came close to taking each other down several times in that match,” Taylor said. “Both of them battled and fought off the takedowns. That was a well-fought match. Chuck used good poise and got it done right at the end.”
The criteria Rider won on was the first takedown of the match, Zeisloft's one and only takedown. “I didn't get any takedowns, and I usually do,” Zeisloft said. “He (Rylan Lubeck) wrestled at a higher weight last year so I knew he was cutting weight so I was waiting for the third period for him to get out of position. It didn't happen until overtime but he did and I got my double (two points).”
In the final bout of the match, junior Rob Deutsch (Cherry Hill, NJ/Eastern Regional) won at 133, defeating Ryan Taylor. Taylor was ranked ninth in the nation last year at 125, while Deutsch was the 11th seed at Nationals at 125 last year.
“From a fan's standpoint it was great for it to come down to those two,” Taylor said, “and they really went at it.”
“I was trying to take it out of the hands of criteria,” Deutsch said, “but you have to stay focused. You can't think about having to win by so many points.”
Rider freshman B.J. Clagon (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South) won a major decision at 149 to give Rider a 7-0 lead.
Freshman Chad Walsh (Cherry Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic) won in overtime to give Rider a 10-0 lead.
For the Badgers (1-1), 165 Isaac Jordan, ranked fourth in the nation, won by fall, 197 Timmy McCall, ranked 13th in the nation, won on riding time and heavyweight Connor Medbery, ranked 10th in the nation, won a major decision to give Wisconsin a 19-16 lead.
The Broncs will now compete Sunday in the Keystone Classic, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania. “That is always a great tournament,” Taylor said.
“Keystone is a tough tournament,” said Zeisloft, who has twice placed third there. “I'm looking to win it this year.”
Prior to the match, Coach Taylor was presented with the prestigious Rider University Sesquicentennial Medal of Excellence, a medal that has been established in this, the 150th anniversary of Rider, to recognize members of the Rider family for their exemplary achievements that have brought honor to the University.
“Receiving that from the University is quite humbling,” Taylor said. “I thank the committee and the administration for viewing it worthy.”
“Coach Taylor is such a great coach,” Deutsch said. “He's been here forever (37 years) and that's why he's been here for so long. He has it down to a science.”
Rider 20, Wisconsin 19
141 Chuck Zeisloft-R dec. #19 Rylan Lubeck-W 4-2 o.t. 3-0
149 B.J. Clagon-R major dec. TJ Ruschell-W 12-3 7-0
157 Chad Walsh-R dec. Seth Liegel-W 4-2 o.t. 10-0
165 #4 Isaac Jordan-W wbf Andrew Reca-R 2:27 10-6
174 Frank Cousins-W dec. Ryan Wolfe-R 7-5 10-9
184 Ricky Robertson-W dec. Clint Morrison-R 6-4 10-12
197 #13 Timmy McCall-W dec. Don McNeil-R 3-2 10-15
Hwt #10 Connor Medbery-W major dec. Greg Velasco-R 15-4 10-19
125 J.R. Wert-R won by forfeit 16-19
133 Rob Deutsch-R dec. Ryan Taylor-W 6-3 19-19
