Wrestling Wraps Up Home Dual Season Against #18 Cornell
Feb 13, 2015 | None
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque wrestling team for the second consecutive night would find itself facing another regional ranked team in #18 Cornell College. The Spartans and the Rams provided competitive matches throughout the night, with just one match being decided by a major decison in favor of the Spartans Nicholas Rivera at 133 lbs. when he captured the match 11-1. Just a handful of points would seperate the other nine weight classes which unfortunately came up short for UD on Senior Night on Friday by a score of 10-21 against Cornell.
The Spartans opened with a narrow defeat at 125 lbs. when UD's Joey Cisneros lost 3-7 to the Rams Scott Smith. UD added their first team points on the scoreboard in the 133 lbs. match as senior Nicholas Rivera racked up 3:16 of riding time en route to the night's only major decision 11-1 over Cornell's Nathan Shank after a 0-0 first period. Freshman Ethan Kleitsch had the Spartan crowd on their feet in the 141 lbs. match when he scored a near fall as time expired in the first period and ended it with a 5-4 lead. Cornell's Jared Brathor would charge back and take the lead in the second period 7-6 before capturing the match 8-6 after 1:12 of riding time.
Kody Krenz attacked quickly and scored on a takedown and led 6-4 after the opening period at 149 lbs. Cornell's Trevor Engle ranked #10 in the nation would rally back to a slim 7-6 lead after two periods and stretch it into a 12-8 final after 1:35 in riding time. UD's Brian Travis trailed for two periods before awaking the crowd with a winning takedown as time ran out to win 5-3 over Aaron Engle. Terry Kubski led in the first period 3-2 and fell behind 3-5 after the second period. Cornell's Michael Maksimovic added a couple of takedowns in the third to win 11-5 with 1:10 in riding time.
Elton Turnage found himself trailing early in the 174 lbs. match and was held scoreless for two periods before closing the gap in the third period. Turnage would lose 2-6 after a 1:50 riding time to the Rams Brent Hamm. The Spartans Manny Mendoza led throughout the 184 lbs. match and captured it 5-2 with 2:42 in riding time. UD's Nathan Cristion would battle from behind 2-5 after the opening two periods of the 197 lbs match. The pair would exchange points in the final period with Cornell's Aburough Abegesah getting the victory 3-6 after 1:16 riding time. The Spartans Dan Howell would end the opening period 0-0 before falling behind 1-2 in the second. Cornell's Eric Tucker won his 22nd match of the season with a narrow 1-3 decision.
The Spartans fall to 8-13 overall in the loss. UD will host the 9th Annual Jim Fox Open on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 9:00 a.m. as they prepare for the NCAA Division III Central Regional on Feb. 28 in Five Flags Center in Dubuque.
