Virginia Wrestling Outlast Drexel, 21-18
Story Links
Feb. 7, 2004
PHILADELPHIA – After digging themselves into a 21-6 hole, the Drexel wrestlers knew what they had to do, and nearly did it. Twice freshman heavyweight Chris Cowen nearly came up with the pin that would have tied the match. But in the end he settled for a decision as Drexel (9-11, 5-3 CAA) fell to Virginia (6-4) 21-18.
The match was tied at three a piece after the first two weight classes. Then at 141 pounds Drexel forfeited, rather than facing top-ranked Scott Moore, this gave Virginia a lead it would not surrender.
The forfeit allowed Drexel’s Mark Cartella, who normally wrestles at 149 pounds, to win a tight 2-1 decision at 157 pounds. But an injury to Steve Beard led to a pin, giving Virginia a commanding 18-6 lead.
Josh Fisk gave the Dragons hope with a pin at 184 pounds. And senior co-captain Chris Jones, who picked up his 100th career win earlier in the day, followed with a 8-4 decision.
Cowen brought Drexel fans to their feet once in the first period and again in the third, but came just inches short of getting Andrew Leffler’s shoulders down for the pin that would have tied the match.
Drexel won two matches earlier in the day. The Dragons beat Franklin and Marshall 24-14 and defeated Davidson 30-11. The team is back in action next Saturday, Feb. 14 when they host CAA-leading, nationally-ranked Hofstra at the Daskalakis Athletic Center.
Virginia will return to action on Sunday, February 8th when UVa travels to Fairfax, Va. to face the George Mason Patriots in a non-conference dual match scheduled for 1:00 PM.
Virginia 21, Drexel 18
125- Brian Sticca DEC Paul Slifer (D), 8-5
3-0
133- Joe Cristaldi (D) DEC Steve Hromada, 10-5
3-3
141- Scott Moore FOR
9-3
149- Aaron Martin DEC Chris Renninger (D), 7-2
12-3
157- Mark Cartella (D) DEC Paul Bjorlo, 2-1
12-6
165- Tim Foley WBF Steve Beard (D), 1:32
18-6
174- Michael Grogan SV-2 Nick Kozar (D), 5-3
21-6
184- Josh Fisk (D) WBF Drew Michelotti, 4:19
21-12
197- Chris Jones (D) DEC Kevin Collier, 8-3
21-16
285- Chris Cowen (D) DEC Andrew Leffler, 14-9
21-18