WVU Wrestling Cruises to Victory
By Ira Green
WVU Sports Information Office
CLEVELAND (February 19, 2010) – Behind five bonus decision victories, the West Virginia University wrestling team cruised to a 34-11 win over Eastern Wrestling League foe Cleveland State Friday evening at Woodling Gym. The Mountaineers improved to 3-2 in league action, 3-9 overall.
WVU started off the match with back-to-back bonus decisions, courtesy of freshman Shane Young and sophomore Colin Johnston.
Opening the dual at 125 pounds, Young tallied three takedowns and two three-point near falls in the first period. After tacking on an escape and a takedown in the second, he registered his fifth takedown of the match in the final period and accumulated 5:12 in riding time for the 18-3 tech fall. It is Young’s first tech fall victory of his career, as he improved to 13-7 overall, 6-4 in dual meets.
Johnston, ranked 18th at 133 pounds, notched two quick takedowns in the first period and then was able to slowly roll Zech Huff on his back for the pin at the 2:52 mark for his team-leading sixth pin of the season. The Eighty-Four, Pa., native has won his last six matches, three by bonus decision. Johnston’s 21st victory ties him with Ian “Whitey” Chlebove for fifth-most wins in a single season by a 126/133-pounder.
After CSU (2-17, 0-6) won the next three bouts, the Mountaineers found their niche, winning the final five matches.
Redshirt senior Donnie Jones, now winner of his last four, put on a takedown clinic at 165 pounds. The Slickville, Pa., native matched his season high in takedowns with 11, recording five in the first, three in the second and three in third period. He earned a two-point near fall in the first period and won via a five-point tech fall at the 6:28 mark.
Redshirt sophomores Matt Weston (174) and Robert DeSano (184) each won at their respective weight classes, with DeSano earning his first victory of the year.
Juniors Kyle Rooney and Brandon Williamson closed out the contest with back-to-back pins.
Riding a hot streak, Rooney, the reigning co-EWL Wrestler of the Week, won his fifth-straight match. After registering a takedown and a three-point near fall, Rooney slowly turned CSU 197-pounder Jeff Schuller on his back at the 2:50 mark. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native improved to 10-10 overall, 7-4 in dual meets.
Williamson, who recorded his fifth pin of the year, scored a pair of takedowns in the first period and then was able to tilt Chris Weber at the 2:12 mark for his 15th win of the season at heavyweight.
The Mountaineers finish the regular season with a match at 25th-ranked Edinboro on Saturday, Feb. 20. Action at McComb Fieldhouse is set for 7 p.m.
WVU 34 Cleveland State 11
125: Shane Young (WVU) tech. fall Ronald Butler (CSU), 18-3 (7:00)
133: #18 Colin Johnston (WVU) pinned Zech Huff (CSU), 2:52
141: Mike Mencini (CSU) tech. fall Ryan Romano (WVU), 20-5 (6:15)
149: Dan Castillo (CSU) dec. Jonathon Waldron (WVU), 5-4
157: Corey Carlo (CSU) dec. Kyle Eason (WVU), 7-3
165: Donnie Jones (WVU) tech. fall Dustin Doty (CSU), 24-9 (6:28)
174: Matt Weston (WVU) dec. Aric Thurn (CSU), 6-0
184: Robert DeSano (WVU) dec. Danny Michaels (CSU), 8-7
197: Kyle Rooney (WVU) pinned Jeff Schuller (CSU), 2:50
HWT: Brandon Williamson (WVU) pinned Chris Weber (CSU), 2:12
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