Rooney Earns Second-Straight Upset Victory

By Ira Green
WVU Sports Information Office

SAINT CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (February 14, 2010) – Junior 197-pounder Kyle Rooney earned his second-straight upset victory in as many matches, defeating 16th-ranked Erik Schuth, but the West Virginia University wrestling team came up short, falling to Ohio, 27-15, Sunday afternoon at the Health and Physical Education Center.

Rooney, a Cincinnati, Ohio, native, fell behind 6-2 in the first period on three takedowns by Schuth. However, Rooney regained his composure in the second and earned three points – an escape and takedown – to bring the deficit to one. In the final period, Schuth, who appeared to be limping due to an injury sustained during the second, was taken down by Rooney in the waning seconds of the match for the victory.

The victory over a ranked opponent is Rooney’s second after he defeated 19th-ranked Matt Wilps of Pitt, 5-2, on Feb. 9. Rooney, who has won his last four matches, improves to 9-10 overall, 6-4 in dual meets.

"It feels good, and it's a big confidence boost,” Rooney says. “They are both milestone wins and something I'll be able to talk about even next year. With the league championships coming up, I think I'm starting to peak and I'm feeling really confident."

The Mountaineers (2-9, 2-2 EWL) earned another victory to close out the match, as classmate Brandon Williamson posted a 4-0 decision over Matt Pritchard at heavyweight. Although neither wrestler earned a point during the first two periods, Williamson held a two-minute riding time advantage. In the third, the Riverside, Conn., native tallied an escape and a takedown with less than five seconds in the match to seal the deal. Williamson, winner of his last five, owns a 14-6 overall mark and improves to 7-4 in dual meets.

WVU also received wins from sophomore Colin Johnston and redshirt senior Donnie Jones.

Johnston, ranked 18th nationally at 133 pounds, made quick work of his opponent, Tim Silvers. After posting an early takedown, Johnston worked his way to near fall points, but was able to put Silvers on his back for the pin at the 2:38 mark. Much like Williamson, Johnston also has won his last five decisions and earned his 20th victory of the season. The Eighty-Four, Pa., native is now one win away from tying Whitey Chlebove for fifth place for most wins in a season by a 126/133-pounder.

Jones, who improves to 17-9 overall, registered four takedowns in his win over Kevin Christensen. A Slickville, Pa., native, Jones jumped out to a 5-0 lead through the first two periods before Christensen recorded his first point of the match. Jones tacked on two more takedowns in the final period, but an escape by Christensen in the final moments of the match prevented Jones from earning a major decision – still winning 10-3 at 165 pounds.

Freshman Shane Young, who started off the match slow, made a late surge in the second period. Behind 3-2 to Gabe Ramos, Young scored a takedown to go ahead 4-3. Ramos was able to break free and tie the match at four apiece. After an escape to start the third, Young re-took the lead, 6-5, on a takedown. Ramos, however, tied the match and then earned the win on a takedown with less than 10 seconds to go in the match. Young had 1:20 in riding time, but it was not enough, as he fell 8-7.

Ohio, which improves to 11-4 overall, won six of the 10 bouts.

WVU returns to action on Friday, Feb. 19, at Eastern Wrestling League foe Cleveland State. Action at Woodling Gym starts at 7 p.m. ET.

Ohio 27 WVU 15
125: Gabe Ramos (OH) dec. Shane Young (WVU), 8-7
133: #18 Colin Johnston (WVU) pinned Tim Silvers (OH), 2:38
141: #11 Germaine Lindsey (OH) pinned Ryan Romano (WVU), 5:29
149: Seth Morton (OH) dec. Mike Rowe (WVU), 5-2
157: Clay Tucker (OH) dec. Kyle Eason (WVU), 4-3
165: Donnie Jones (WVU) dec. Kevin Christensen (OH), 10-3
174: Jacob Ison (OH) pinned Matt Weston (WVU), 1:37
184: #18 Nick Purdue (OH) pinned Brandon Boyer (WVU), 6:54
197: Kyle Rooney (WVU) dec. #16 Erik Schuth (OH), 7-6
HWT: Brandon Williamson (WVU) dec. Matt Pritchard (OH), 4-0



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