WVU Takes Second at Navy Classic
By Scott Castleman
WVU Sports Information Office
November 19, 2005
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The West Virginia University wrestling team posted wins at the 141 and 157 pound weight classes en route to a second place finish at the Navy Classic in Annapolis, Md., on Saturday afternoon.
The Mountaineers’ team score of 83.5 placed the team just ahead of Rutgers who finished with 76 points and behind host Navy who won the tournament with a score of 151.
Freshman sensation Brandon Rader had a huge tournament for WVU as he blew through three opponents on his way to the 141 pound title. In his first match the Parkersburg, W.Va., native defeated Henry Blue of Davidson 21-7 and followed that performance up by recording a fall 37 seconds into his seminfinal bout against Navy’s Spencer Manley. In the finals Rader knocked off Rutgers’ Steve Adamcsik by a score of 11-5.
At the 157 pound weight class Matt Lebe wrestled his way to his second consecutive Navy Classic title. Like Rader, the Jeannette, Pa., native stormed through his opponents, starting with a 15-3 decision over Rob Dempsey of Duquesne. In the quarterfinals Lebe took an 18-6 decision against Navy’s Jason Coyne and then held on against Mitch Webster of George Mason for a 4-1 win. In the championship bout Lebe took on Midshipman John Jarred and came away victorious with a 6-3 decision.
At the 149 pound weight class WVU’s Larry Hall and David Jauregui were tough as they finished second and third, respectively. Hall defeated Navy’s Matthew Gulosh with an 8-2 decision and McDaniel’s Mark Nakasone in a 12-5 decision on his way to the finals. However, Navy’s John Cox would get the fall against Hall 2:28 minutes in to the championship match. Jauregui defeated Navy’s Joel Ahern in a 13-6 decision to take third-place honors.
Other Mountaineers placing second at the tournament included Romaine Malcolm (165) and Kurt Brenner (174). Malcolm dropped a close 3-2 decision in the finals to McDaniel’s Tony Howard, while Brenner lost a 5-3 decision to Navy’s Matthew Stolpinski.
Rounding out the list of West Virginia wrestlers that placed at the Navy Classic was Jarrod Villers, who took third place overall at 197 pounds. After dropping his first match of the tournament to Navy’s Antonio Miranda in a 7-6 decision, the junior plowed through the consolation bracket and ended his day by defeating Campbell’s Jason Cook 12-6 in the consolation finals.
The Mountaineers are now idle until Dec. 2, when they travel to Las Vegas, Nev., to compete in the Las Vegas Invitational.
Championship Finals
125- Mike Kohler (Navy) def. Ryan Jablonski (Rutgers), 5-3
133- Brad Canterbury (Navy) def. Jim Avola (Davidson), Fall 5:23
141- Brandon Rader (WVU) def. Steve Adamcsik (Rutgers), 11-5
149- John Cox (Navy) def. Larry Hall (WVU), Fall 2:28
157- Matt Lebe (WVU) def. John Jarred (Navy), 6-3
165- Tony Howard (McDaniel) def. Romaine Malcolm (WVU), 3-2
174- Matthew Stolpinski (Navy) def. Kurt Brenner (WVU), 5-3
184- Rudy Medini (Rutgers) def. Charles Pogue (Navy), 3-2
197- Antonio Miranda (Navy) def. Allan Moyer (Navy), 6-4
285- Tanner Garrett (Navy) def. Ed Prendergast (Navy), 8-4
Final Team Scores
1. Navy 151 points
2. WVU 83.5 points
3. Rutgers 76 points
4. George Mason 61.5 points
5. McDaniel 49 points
T6. Campbell 38 points
T6. Davidson 38 points
8. Duquesne 29 points
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