LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - (
Tyler Klinsky (Middletown, NJ/Middletown North) and #23
Quinn Kinner (Mullica Hill, NJ/Kingsway) won their bouts by major decisions, and the Rider University wrestling team commanded the mat in the conference opener against MAC opponent Northern Illinois, 20-14, Saturday evening at Alumni Gym. The Huskies begin their season at 0-1, 0-1 MAC, while the Broncs improve to 1-1, 1-0 MAC.
Klinsky would set the pace of the dual during the 125 bout, earning a major decision, 15-4, with the help of three near falls over Northern Illinois' Drew West. #29
Richie Koehler (Middletown, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) and Kinner followed the lead set by Klinsky and earned near-fall points of their own to win the bouts in decision at 133 and major decision at 141, respectively.
Cole McComas (East Liverpool, OH/Beaver Local) followed with an overtime victory at 149 to push Rider's lead to 14-0.
The Huskies would start to build a comeback against the Broncs with wins at 157, 165, 174, and 184 to tie the match 14-14, but #29
Matt Correnti (Delran, NJ/Holy Cross Academy) would win his bout at 197 to halt the Northern Illinois comeback and retake the Rider lead, 17-14.
David Szuba (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) then put the match away, winning the bout at 285 to seal the victory for the Broncs, 20-14.
Quotes and Notes
"Our preparation was a little different in the sense that we made sure that they didn't wrestle just the six and a half minutes or seven, so at practice we pushed them. There's ebbs and flows we knew we were favored in the bottom, but they were favored in the middle, but we knew that 97 and heavy could go either way, but we liked our chances better. All we told our 97 and heavy were 'just go be you.'"
"McComas, that is a really good kid that he beat and he showed a lot of heart."
– Rider Head Coach John Hangey
"We focus on getting better and trying to learn from every loss either individually or as a team. Just keep grinding. Just keep going, don't think about being tired just keep trying to score points."
"I'm there with anybody that I wrestle if I keep a high pace and keep working in my shots – I'm right there with anyone in the country."
– Rider University Wrestler Tyler Klinsky
- Klinsky, Koehler, Kinner, McComas, Correnti, Szuba won their first bouts of the season in the win.
- Rider faced Northern Illinois for the first time in Alumni Gym. Tonight's match became just the third meeting between the two teams with Rider leading the all-time series, 3-0.
- The Broncs return to action next Sunday, when they travel to Philadelphia to compete in the Keystone Classic, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania. The bouts are slated to start at 10 a.m.
Rider University 20, Northern Illinois 14
125:
Tyler Klinsky (RID) maj. dec. Drew West (NIU), 15-4; Rider leads, 4-0
133: #29
Richie Koehler (RID) dec. Bryce West (NIU), 5-1; Rider leads, 7-0
141: #23
Quinn Kinner (RID) maj. dec. Javion Jones (NIU), 11-1; Rider leads, 11-0
149:
Cole McComas (RID) dec. Anthony Cheloni (NIU), 8-6; Rider leads, 14-0
157: Anthony Gibson (NIU) dec. #31
Jake Silverstein (RID), 7-6; Rider leads, 14-3
165: #14 Izzak Olejnik (NIU) maj. dec.
Joe Casey (RID), 11-4; Rider leads, 14-7
174: #29 Mason Kauffman (NIU) dec.
Shane Reitsma (RID), 5-4; Rider leads 14-10
184: #8 Brit Wilson (NIU) maj. dec.
George Walton (RID), 12-4; Match tied 14-14
197: #29
Matt Correnti (RID) dec. Tristin Guaman (NIU), 5-4, Rider leads 17-14
285:
David Szuba (RID) dec. Terrese Aaron (NIU), 7-6; Rider wins 20-14.
