Wrestling 2024 Postseason

[ugarte]

EIWA tournament started today. Great morning session.

125: Brett Ungar WTF Eric Howe (Franklin & Marshall), 17-1 3:23. Easy peasy.

133: Vito Arujau W Hunter Adrian (Brown), 8-2. Either he took it slow or he's still not 100%. An opponent he has dominated in the past and this was never in doubt but still much closer than expected. Not going to cut it against Crookham if he wants to avenge his only loss.

141: Vince Cornella W Raymond Lopez (American), 9-2. Clearly not taking chances with his knee. Again, not in doubt but he'd have run away with this pre-injury.

149: Ethan Fernandez W Braden Bower (Bucknell), 4-1. Slow start for a guy in the 1 seed.

157: Meyer Shapiro WBF Andy Garr (Columbia), 0:58. This was almost cruel.

165: Julian Ramirez WBF Breon Phifer (American), 1:01. This was almost cruel as well.

174: Benny Baker WMD Jack Janda (Drexel), 15-7. Great start for Baker. He faces the 1 seed next, which isn't likely to go well for him, but he's in a position where he's got a very winnable match if he loses for a trip to NCAAs. A takedown at the buzzer turned this into a major decision win. Very nice.

184: Chris Foca WTF Dalton Harkins (Army West Point), 15-0 5:05. Straight up blowout.

197: Jacob Cardenas WTF Alex Whitworth (Harvard), 15-0 3:32. Another straight up blowout.

285: Lewis Fernandes WBF Alex Semenenko (Brown), 3:53. And we close with a straight up blowout. Before converting the pin, Fernandes was well on the way to another scoreless tech.

Cornell went 10-0 in the morning session and sits in first place, just a notch ahead of Lehigh.

Next round kicks off at 4:30.

[dag14]

We were the only team to go 10-0, which was nice.  Fewer bonus points than I would have liked but maybe some guys are saving their energy for when it matters.

One of the nice things about going 10-0 is that we can use the break to watch women's hockey.

[George64]

UPSET!!
EIWA tournament started today. Great morning session.


174: Benny Baker WMD Jack Janda (Drexel), 15-7. Great start for Baker. He faces the 1 seed next, which isn't likely to go well for him, but he's in a position where he's got a very winnable match if he loses for a trip to NCAAs. A takedown at the buzzer turned this into a major decision win. Very nice.

[upprdeck]

How bad did Cornella get hurt?

[ugarte]

EIWA tournament started today. Great morning session.


174: Benny Baker WMD Jack Janda (Drexel), 15-7. Great start for Baker. He faces the 1 seed next, which isn't likely to go well for him, but he's in a position where he's got a very winnable match if he loses for a trip to NCAAs. A takedown at the buzzer turned this into a major decision win. Very nice.

https://twitter.com/CornellSports/status/1766240103238684676 UPSET!!!

Nobody was happier to be wrong!

It was a strange second round. The good news is that we went 9-1. The bad news is that a lot of our guys are kind of underwhelming so far, even in victory.

125: Ungar W Max Gallagher (Penn) 4-3. He won, which is good, but he may have injured his right pectoral, which is not. He was able to finish the match - and even showed some strength - but he still appeared to be in pain after the match. He probably doesn't need to wrestle any more to qualify for NCAAs, but if he doesn't continue it would be very bad for the team race.

Up next, Drew Sotelo (Harvard), who beat Ungar in the dual last year but Ungar has beaten him three straight since.

133: Arujau W Max Leete (American), 4-2. Again, another victory but again a lackluster performance. It was a strange match; apparenlty Leete is vision-impaired, so the wrestlers have to stay in contact with each other, which isn't really Vito's style. In addition, Leete was pretty aggressive with the clubs and charging forward and Vito was getting kind of pissed. No harm no foul, and Crookham had a pretty bad second round as well, so onward and forward.

Up next, Braden Basile (Army), who stunned Penn's Colaiocco to advance.

141: Cornella L Dylan Chappell (Bucknell), 4-1 SV. This was not great. Cornella was injured a month ago and had only one match before the tournament. Against Chappell, he was able to almost score, but Chappell was able to repeatedly stalemate his attacks. In Sudden Victory, Chappell got in deep on Cornella's injured leg and finished the takedown quickly.

How bad did Cornella get hurt?

Unclear. Cornella took a medical forfeit in his consolation match and is finished. He did not advance far enough for an automatic bid, though his resume virtually guarantees him an at-large bid if he is healthy enough in two weeks to compete.

149: Fernandez WTF 6:53 Dominic Findora (Drexel), 17-2. Dominant performance. Really refreshing after an uninspiring opening round.

Up next, Jude Swisher (Penn), who he barely defeated at the dual meet.

157: Shapiro WTF 5:14 Jonathan Ley (Navy), 18-2. No contest. Back to back blowouts for Shapiro.

Up next, Nathan Lukez (Navy).

165: Ramirez WBF 2:10 Cael Berg. Second straight pin for Ramirez.

Up next, Noah Mulvaney (Bucknell).

174: Baker W Phillip Conigliaro (Harvard), 9-4. Incredible. Conigliaro is a 3x NCAA qualifier and near-AA who was the #1 seed at what was supposed to be our weakest weight. Trailing 4-2 late in the third, Baker countered a Conigliaro shot and finished the takedown to go up 5-4. If Conigliaro could escape in the final 20 seconds, this match would have gone to SV. In Conigliaro's scramble to escape, Baker trapped him on his back for an additional 4NF. I cheered at my desk. This victory punched Baker's ticket to NCAAs. If Cornella is OK, we're almost certainly sending the whole team.

Up next, 3x national qualifier Ben Pasiuk (Army). Tough battle, but Baker's on a roll.

184: Foca W David Key (Navy), 10-6. Another distressingly close match. Foca got the first two TDs, and led 6-2 when Key dragged Foca into a takedown and nearly flipped him to his back. Foca held off the turn but either the drag or resisting the back points appeared to put a strain on his shoulder. He held Key off, and scored the final takedown when Key was in desperation offense, but he shouldn't be in close matches. That said, this win qualified him for NCAAs.

Up next, Aaron Ayzerov, who has beaten him twice this season. Need the revenge W.

197: Cardenas WMD Jack Wehmeyer (Columbia), 11-3. Cardenas pushed for bonus points late and got it. Qualified for NCAAs.

Up next, Lou DePrez, who beat him just a couple of weeks ago at the Binghamton dual. Tough match.

285: Fernandes WMD Keaton Kluever (Hofstra) 13-0. Early in the season, Kluever outmuscled Fernandes and pinned him. This time, after a struggle to get the first take down, it was smooth sailing for Fernandes. Qualified for NCAAs.

Up next, Nathan Taylor (Lehigh). Taylor won their first matchup 6-2. The other half of the bracket is BUSTED, with the 2 and 3 seeds both losing. If Fernandes gets by Taylor he's got a great shot at his first EIWA title.

After Day 1, Cornell is in first place, 11 points ahead of Lehigh, with 9 wrestlers in the semis.

[ugarte]

125: #15 Ungar v #23 Sotelo:

1: Sotelo had the better position for most of the period but couldn't break through Ungar's defense. Right before the whistle, Ungar got an ankle and converted right before the whistle. 3-0

2: Sotelo starts on bottom, escapes quickly. Ungar gets a single leg and converts. Strong ride, finishes out the period. 6-1. 1:03 RT.

3: Ungar starts on bottom. Sotelo gets RT under a minute. Ungar stall warning for not trying to get up. Second stall call. Third stall call. Final score 6-3. Ungar on to the finals for a rematch with Luke Stanich and qualifies for NCAAs.

[ugarte]

133: #2 Arujau v #32 Basile

1: Arujau with an early takedown. Basile stands up, Arjuau takes too long to return him to the mat and gets a stall warning. RT at 1:04 and Basile escapes. 3-1

2: Arujau starts on bottom. RT under a minute. Arujau rolls... to a reversal. Basile escape. Basile shoots but Arujau counters and finishes the TD as his headgear comes off (it's been giving him trouble all weekend). Basile escapes. RT at 1:02. 8-3

3: Basile on bottom, escapes quickly. Arujau backing up gets hit for stalling again. As the point is awarded he fires off a shot and converts. Basile escapes. Final score 12-5. Arujau is on to the finals for a rematch with Ryan Crookham and earns an automatic bid to NCAAs.

Update on Cornella is unofficial but he really did look like he was in serious pain at the end of yesterday's QF. He is probably done for the year.

[ugarte]

149: #21 Fernandez v #23 Swisher (Penn)

1: Swisher gets the first TD. Fernandez out quickly. Fernandez with a huge takedown at the whistle. 4-3

2: Fernandez chooses down. Escape. Scramble at the end but no points. 5-3

3: Swisher chooses down. Swisher out fast. Swisher single leg... But Fernandez grabs an ankle... and a takedown! and a reversal by Swisher. official's review... If the call is reversed, I think the score would revert to 5-4. If not, it's 8-6 Fernandez with Swisher on top and 25 seconds left. Call stands. Penn challenges for independent review. Call stands. Swisher starts at neutral, so Escape for Fernandez. Stall warning on Fernandez... time runs out. Fernandez wins 9-6, on to the finals and he earns an automatic bid to NCAAs.

Challenge took so long that 165 starts before 157.

#3 Ramirez v #21 Mulvaney (Bucknell)

1: Ramirez off the whistle TD. Mulvaney escapes quickly. Ramirez heel pick to a double, Mulvaney trying to stalemate but the TD is awarded. Bucknell challenge that Mulvaney was still in stalemate position. No change. Escape. 6-2

2: Ramirez bottom. Escape. Ramirez ankle pick but can't convert. 7-2

3: Mulvaney bottom. Escape. Mulvaney gets to an ankle but Ramirez steps out and gets behind for TD. Escape. 10-3 final. Ramirez on to the final an earns an automatic bid to NCAAs.


157 starts while 165 is ongoing.

#6 Shapiro v Lukez (Army)

1. Shapiro TD off the whistle. Escape. Lukez stall warning. Lukez shot... stalemate. Shapiro single leg... stalemate. 3-1

2: Shapiro down. Immediate escape. Gets a leg... OOB. Lukez shoots, Shapiro sprawls and gets behind for the TD. RT at 1:39. 7-1

3: Lukez neutral. Lukez shoots, Shapiro drapes over him... stalemate. Lukez tries to go for a blast double, Shapiro crunches him down for another TD... short time... major decision for Shapiro. Wins 11-1, on to the final against Brignola (Lehigh), and earns an automatic bid to NCAAs.

Meanwhile Baker's 174 final started but I paused it.

[ugarte]

174: Baker v #14 Pasiuk (Army)

1: Pasiuk shot... great defense from Baker to stalemate. Double stall call for just standing around... no score.

2: Baker down... Escapes in 18 seconds. Pasiuk with a body lock... OOB. No more scoring. 1-0

3: Pasiuk down...  Escape. Quick stall call on Baker ... Pasiuk upper body throws Baker to his back and sticks him.


184 of course starts while I'm watching 174. Paused.

[Al DeFlorio]

Baker pinned by Army.  Foca trailing Ayzerov late 2nd.  9-6 Ayzerov final.

[ugarte]

184: #7 Foca v #26 Ayzerov (Columbia)

1: Foca blast double for the first TD. Off a restart, Ayzerov traps an arm and gets a Reversal. Escape. Foca single leg but Ayzerov gets a headlock... they go to the mat... Ayzerov gets behind for TD. No escape. 44 seconds of RT. 5-4 Ayzerov.

2: Foca on bottom. Stall warning on Ayzerov... RT over a minute... with short time, Escape. 5-5 but 2:30 RT for Ayzerov.

3: Ayzerov neutral. Ayzerov shot... neutral danger TD called for Ayzerov. Cornell challenge. Challenge lost. Escape. Foca needs to score... nope. Ayzerov wins 9-6. Beats Foca for the third time.

[ugarte]

I've got to keep pausing, so now skip to Heavyweight.

285: #16 Fernandes v #8 Taylor (Lehigh)

1: Taylor with a double... scramble... finishes. Fernandes Escape. Fernandes shoots, Taylor counter for TD... turns Fernandes over and gets the Fall.

[ugarte]

197: #8 Cardenas v #7 DePrez

1: No score.

2: DePrez chooses down. Escape. 0-1

3: Cardenas down. Escape immediately. Stall warning on Cardenas for backing up... Cardenas shoots gets a leg, back trip to TD! 4-1 win! Cardenas moves on to the final for a rematch against Michael Beard (Lehigh).

[Al DeFlorio]

PSU has 8 goals and has made 6 saves.  Cornell has 1 goal and 1 save.

[ugarte]

PSU has 8 goals and has made 6 saves.  Cornell has 1 goal and 1 save.

Appreciate the note but wrong thread!

125: #15 Ungar v #3 Stanich (Lehigh) in the finals. Stanich won the first matchup.
133: #2 Arujau v #1 Crookham (Lehigh) in the finals. Crookham won the first matchup.
141: Nobody left for Cornell. Lehigh has #17 Hines going for third.
149: #21 Fernandez v Crook (Harvard) in the finals. Fernandez won the first matchup. Lehigh's Griffin WBF in the consi semi; wrestling for third.
157: #6 Shapiro v #24 Brignola (Lehigh) in the finals. Shapiro won the first matchup.
165: #3 Ramirez v #16 Cerniglia (Navy) in the finals. Lehigh has Logan, an underdog, in the consi semi.
174: Baker v Takats (Bucknell) in the consi semi. Lehigh does not have a wrestler left.
184: #7 Foca v #12 Nolan (Binghamton) in the consi semi. Foca won the first matchup. Lehigh does not have a wrestler left.
197: #8 Cardenas v #3 Beard (Lehigh) in the final. Beard won this year's matchup and they split last year.
285: #16 Fernandes v #17 Day (Binghamton) in the consi semi. Lehigh's #8 Taylor is heavily favored to win the final.

With the middle weights going in the consi semi now, the wins by Hines and Griffin have pulled Lehigh sightly ahead of Cornell. We have Baker, Foca and Fernandes to come and they have Logan (165). We have 6 finalists, Lehigh has 5. 4 are head to head. Cornella's injury and Foca's trouble with Ayzerov have turned this into a tight race. I really want to win the final EIWA tournament that we wrestle in.