College Wrestling
Rider University 25, George Mason University 13
University of North Carolina 20, Rider University 13
FAIRFAX, VA—The short-handed Broncs split their two dual meets on Sunday, defeating host George Mason before losing to North Carolina.
“We have a very talented team when we are all healthy,” said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. “We have to find a way to keep them on the mat. It is tough competing at this level when you are short-handed. Some of it is the nature of the sport, but this year we have had a lot of injuries.”
Rider (8-6), ranked 23rd by InterMat and 25th in the coaches' poll, won six matches against George Mason (8-6) but won just four matches against North Carolina (6-3).
Junior Rob Deutsch (Cherry Hill, NJ/Eastern Regional) won twice. Against NC Deutsch trailed 3-1 before winning 7-6 to improve to 17-6 overall, 11-3 in duals.
Freshman B.J. Clagon (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South) went 2-0 Sunday to improve to 17-7 overall, 10-4 in duals.
“Rob and B.J. continue to wrestle well for us,” Taylor said.
Junior Conor Brennan (Brick, NJ/Brick Twp.) went 1-0, winning his only match of the day against Mason by a major decision. “Conor tweaked his knee so we kept him out against Carolina,” Taylor said.
Senior Chuck Zeisloft (Woodbury Heights, NJ/Gateway) and freshman Chad Walsh (Cherry Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic) went 1-1 on the day. “Chad seemed to over-wrestle a bit against the Mason wrestler,” Taylor said. “Chad has beaten guys who have beaten the Mason wrestler. But give him (Flournoy) credit, he showed up to wrestle and did a good job.”
Junior Greg Velasco (Union Beach, NJ/Keyport) and senior Donald McNeil (Plainville, Mass./Wyoming Seminary) also went 1-1 Sunday.
Rider was competing without three starters, sophomore 125 J.R. Wert (Christiansburg, Va./Christiansburg), senior Clint Morrison (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff) and sophomore Ryan Wolfe (New Castle, Del./Caravel Academy), while Brennan only competed against Mason.
Rider competes again Friday, an EWL dual meet at Bloomsburg. “I think we'll be healthy for Bloomsburg,” Taylor said.
Rider 25, George Mason 13
125 Zach Valcarce-R wins by forfeit 6-0
133 Rob Deutsch-R dec. Vince Rodriguez-M 6-1 9-0
141 Chuck Zeisloft-R dec. Sahid Kargbo-M 8-6 12-0
149 B.J. Clagon-R wbf Konbeh Koroma-M 3:56 18-0
157 Greg Flournoy-M dec, Chad Walsh-R 5-1 18-3
165 Conor Brennan-R major dec. Pat Davis-M 14-5 22-3
174 Ryan Forrest-M dec. Steve Nelson-R 10-4 22-6
184 Ryan Hembury-M major dec. Ali Yildiz-R 11-0 22-10
197 Don McNeil-R dec. Matt Meadows-M 8-1 25-10
Hwt Jake Kettler-M dec. Greg Velasco-R 2-0 25-13
North Carolina 20, Rider 13
125 Alex Rinaldi-NC dec. Zach Valcarce-R 7-2 3-0
133 Rob Deutsch-R dec. Troy Heilmann-NC 7-6 3-3
141 Joey Ward-NC dec. Chuck Zeisloft-R 2-1 6-3
149 B.J. Clagon-R major dec. Christian Barber-NC 13-4 6-7
157 Chad Walsh-R dec. Chris Mears-NC 6-3 6-10
165 Ethan Ramos-NC major dec. Jimmy Morris-R 14-2 10-10
174 John Staudenmayer-NC major dec. Steve Nelson-R 10-2 14-10
184 Scott Marmoll-NC dec. Ali Yildiz-R 5-0 17-10
197 Chip Ness-NC dec. Don McNeil-R 14-7 20-10
Hwt Greg Velasco-R dec. Frank Abbondanza-NC 4-1 ot 20-13
