Virginia's Paul Bjorlo and Rocco Caponi Prepare For Nationals
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March 14, 2005
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia wrestlers Paul Bjorlo (Reston Va./South Lakes) and Rocco Caponi (Middletown, Ohio/SVSM) will compete at the 2005 NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 17-19 in Saint Louis, Missouri at the Savvis Center. Bjorlo, a 157-pound redshirt fourth-year and Caponi, a 174-pound first-year, will be making their first appearances at Nationals. The event will be hosted by the University of Missouri (Columbia) and the Saint Louis Sports Commission.
Bjorlo stands 28-12 overall, 10-5 in dual match action this season. He has posted three wins by fall, two wins by major decision and one win by technical fall this year. On February 21st, Bjorlo was named the ACC Wrestler of the Week. He qualified to compete in the NCAA Wrestling Championships by winning the 157-pounds weight class at the 2005 ACC Championships. Bjorlo also finished first at the Virginia Intercollegiate State Wrestling Championships, took fifth at Cornell’s Body Bar Invitational and placed 8th at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational this season. For his UVa career, Bjorlo stands 86-62 overall, 30-21 in dual match action with 17 wins by fall.
Caponi stands 24-11 overall, 9-5 in dual match action this season. He has posted five wins by fall, five wins by major decision and one win by technical fall. On January 10th, Caponi was named the ACC Wrestler of the Week.. He qualified to compete in the NCAA Wrestling Championships by placing second at the 2005 ACC Wrestling Championships and received an at-large bid to compete at Nationals. Caponi also took first place at both Cornell’s Body Bar Invitational and the Virginia Intercollegiate State Wrestling Championships and also finished sixth at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational this season.
Last year, former UVa wrestlers Scott Moore and Tim Foley competed at the NCAA Wrestling Championships for the Cavaliers. Both Moore and Foley earned All-American status following their performances at Nationals to become the eighth and ninth Virginia All-American wrestlers ever. The duo helped UVa finish tied for 16th in the nation following Nationals. Six of Virginia’s nine All-American wrestlers have occurred under the direction of current UVa head wrestling coach Lenny Bernstein.
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