Rogers Lands Mountaineers Third League Victory
By Ira Green
WVU Sports Information Office
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (January 31, 2009) – With the result coming down
to the final match at heavyweight for the third time this season,
fifth-year senior Dustin Rogers delivered a 9-1 major decision to give
the West Virginia University wrestling team a 20-16 victory. WVU moves
to 6-4 overall, 3-0 in Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) competition.
"Fortunately for us, Rogers was the better wrestler and he
competed as the better wrestler tonight,” Coach Craig Turnbull said. “I
don't want to minimize that he's under a lot of stress with the match
coming down to him, but being able to keep your focus and get the job
done when the match is on the line is something he's doing very well
right now."
Rogers, now 12-4 on the season and 3-0 in league play, jumped
out to a quick 2-0 lead with a takedown in the first period. After
increasing his lead by a point with an escape in the second session, the
Corning, Calif., native tacked on two more takedowns with 1:54 in riding
time for the major decision.
Freshman Colin Johnston (141) earned the team’s first points
with his first collegiate major decision. The Eighty Four, Pa., resident
registered two takedowns in the first period and two more in the second
to go ahead 8-3. In the third session, Johnston worked quickly, earning
an escape after starting in the defensive position and then recorded a
takedown followed by a three point near fall. Before the match was over,
Johnston added in one more takedown and had 2:06 worth of riding time
for the 17-4 victory.
Two bouts later at 157 pounds, redshirt-freshman Ryan Goodman
faced a difficult task in Lock Haven’s Ollie Cooperwood. Goodman, who
trailed 3-1 through two periods, saved his best wrestling for the final
session. After tying the match with escape and stalling points, the
Latrobe, Pa., native registered the go-ahead takedown with less than 10
seconds left in the match for the 5-3 victory, bringing the Mountaineers
to within three, 10-7.
"Probably the one that really won the match for us was Goodman's
match at 157,” Turnbull added. “We weren't getting much help from the
official with the stall call, but Goodman stayed diligent and got
rewarded with a takedown. That was critical."
Redshirt-junior Donnie Jones, riding a four-match winning streak
entering his bout against Lock Haven’s Aaron Ernest, continued his
impressive stretch. Flexing his muscle and using his quickness, Jones
tallied five takedowns through two sessions. In the third period, Jones
earned a two-point reversal and then quickly worked his way to second
tech fall this year. The Slickville, Pa., native added to his total with
two takedowns followed by a two-point near fall and then one more
takedown, moving his takedown total to 30 on the season. With the 2:14
in riding time, Jones easily took a 21-6 victory – also giving WVU the
12-10 lead.
Fifth-year senior Kurt Brenner added to WVU’s lead with a 19-8
major decision at 174 pounds. Showing why he is ranked 12th nationally,
Brenner wrestled aggressively, getting four takedowns through the first
three minutes of the bout. After earning another two in the second
session, Brenner accrued six more points in the final period, plus a
point for 2:14 in riding time for his second major decision of the
season. The Freedom, Pa., native is tied with Rogers for a team-leading
12 overall victories.
Lock Haven falls to 6-8-1 overall, 1-3 in EWL action.
The Mountaineers are now 17-14-0 all-time against the Bald
Eagles.
WVU ends its five-match road trip with a contest at EWL rival
Pitt on Feb. 7. The match is slated to start at 7 p.m. at the Fitzgerald
Field House.
WVU 20 Lock Haven 16
125: Nick Hyatt (LH) DEC Kyle Turnbull (WVU), 9-4
133: Billy Ashnault (LH) MAJOR Tyler Oravec (WVU), 13-2
141: Colin Johnston (WVU) MAJOR Zach Kell (LH), 17-4
149: Matt Fittery (LH) DEC No. 19 David Jauregui (WVU), 4-2
157: Ryan Goodman (WVU) DEC Ollie Cooperwood (LH), 5-3
165: Donnie Jones (WVU) TECH Aaron Ernest (LH), 21-6
174: No. 12 Kurt Brenner (WVU) MAJOR Travis Stem (LH), 19-8
184: Tom Kocher (LH) DEC Lance Bryson (WVU), 5-3
197: Ben Hepburn (LH) DEC Kyle Rooney (WVU), 3-2
HWT: Dustin Rogers (WVU) MAJOR Gabe Murtorff (LH), 9-1
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