WVU Blanks Johns Hopkins

By Brian Kuppelweiser for WVUsports.com

November 04, 2012

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The West Virginia University wrestling team shutout Johns Hopkins in its first dual meet of the season, 43-0, at the Comcast Center in College Park, Md.

Senior Shane Young started the Mountaineers off with a 4-3 decision victory over the Blue Jays’ Paul Bewak. Tied at two apiece and with less than 30 seconds remaining, Young was able to convert a takedown attempt that sealed the win. Coming into the match, Bewak was ranked No. 4 at 125 pounds by D3wrestle.com

In his return to the mat, junior Colin Johnston was dominate in a 20-5 technical fall over Ray Yagloski. Johnston closed out the match by way of takedown with 1:04 remaining in the third period.

Following a major decision victory by junior Nathan Pennesi, sophomore Brutus Scheffel won a thrilling match against Henry Stauber in sudden victory, 3-1. With less than 20 seconds left in sudden victory time, Scheffel was successful in a takedown attempt.

Sophomore Dominic Prezzia began his season by taking a 4-1 decision from JHU’s Christian Salera. Prezzia worked a takedown in the second period, scored an escape point in the third period and earned a riding time point on his way to the win.

At 165 and 174 pounds, WVU struck quickly, as freshman Ross Renzi and Bubba Scheffel scored the first pins of their Mountaineer careers. Renzi pinned Christian Ostrowski 2:09 into the match, while Scheffel got his win by fall at 37 seconds of the first.

Junior Lance Bryson and freshman A.J. Vizcarrondo earned back-to-back major decisions that increased the WVU lead to 37-0 with one match remaining.

In the final match of the dual meet, senior Phil Mandzik earned a forfeit victory.

The Mountaineers will take on No. 15 Maryland at approximately 2 p.m. this afternoon to complete action at the Terrapin Duals.

Results
Final team score: 43-0 WVU
125: Shane Young (WVU) dec. Paul Bewak (JHU), 4-3
133: Colin Johnston (WVU) tech fall Ray Yagloski (JHU), 20-5
141: Nathan Pennesi (WVU) maj. dec. Paul Marcello (JHU), 11-0
149: Brutus Scheffel (WVU) dec. Henry Stauber (JHU), 3-1 SV
157: Dominic Prezzia (WVU) dec. Christian Salera (JHU), 4-1
165: Ross Renzi (WVU) win by fall Christian Ostrowski, 2:09
174: Bubba Scheffel (WVU) win by fall Jody Gowen (JHU), 0:37
184: Lance Bryson (WVU) maj. dec. Kyle Spangler (JHU), 17-5
197: A.J. Vizcarrondo (WVU) maj. dec. Evan Johnson (JHU), 8-0
HWT: Phil Mandzik (WVU) win by forfeit


Wrestling Earns Split at Terrapin Duals

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – In its second dual match of the day at the Terrapin Duals, the West Virginia University wrestling team was defeated by No. 15 Maryland, 24-10.

“We had opportunities to win our match against Maryland,” said coach Craig Turnbull. “I would like to think that not having Shane (Young) in the lineup took away some momentum from us. We took that win against (Shane) Gentry twice last year, so there is reason to believe we could do it again.”

The Terrapins put the Mountaineers behind the eight ball early, as they were able to build a 12-4 lead after four matches.

At 133 pounds, junior Colin Johnston looked to maintain his torrid start to the day, but he was on the losing end of a 7-5 decision. Johnston built an early lead in the match against No. 18 Geoffrey Alexander, but Alexander rallied in the second and third periods to take the win.

Junior Nathan Pennesi was able to regain some momentum for WVU, as he scored early and often in a 10-1 major decision over Maryland’s Danny O’Malley. The win was Pennesi’s second major decision of the day.

“It is early in the season, and we have a lot of stuff that we still need to work on,” said Pennesi. “I felt a little sluggish in my first match of the day, but I was able to rebound in my second match. I had more energy. We can’t harp too much on the team result, because we have a long way to go.”

Following a decision victory by the Terrapins’ Lou Mascola at 149 pounds, sophomore Dominic Prezzia was able to score a victory against Brady Massaro. Prezzia took an early lead against Massaro by way of takedown. The St. Clairsvile, Ohio worked a takedown late in the third period to secure the 5-2 decision.

After earning the first pin of his career in his match against Johns Hopkins, freshman Ross Renzi was able to earn another win against Maryland’s Josh Snook. With the score at 2-1, Renzi nearly earned his second pin of the day after he scored a takedown that left Snook scrambling. Renzi would earn two near fall points that would give him a 6-3 decision victory and close the team score gap to 12-10.

In the 174-pound matchup, freshman Bubba Scheffel nearly upset No. 4 Josh Asper, but was defeated 5-3. Scheffel held an early 2-1 lead against Asper, who competed in the NWCA All-Star Classic on Saturday night. Asper, however, would score a second period takedown, an escape point in the third and a riding time point that would be the deciding factors in the match.

“Bubba knew the challenge that he was going to face coming into this match,” Turnbull said. “Instead of just rolling around on the mat, he came in with an intention to win. You have to appreciate the attitude that he displayed in his first varsity match. It is really encouraging to see that type of effort and performance from Bubba.”

Freshman A.J. Vizcarrondo would follow Scheffel’s near-upset performance with a similar showing of his own. The Philadelphia, Pa., native gave No. 10 Christian Boley a heavy challenge, as he kept the match tied for most of the first and second periods. A late takedown in the third period and a riding time point gave Boley the 9-6 win.

“A.J.’s match was very similar to what Bubba’s match was,” Turnbull said. “He wasn’t competing just to see how the match would – A.J. really wanted to get that win. That match is something that he can carry with him throughout the season.”

To close out the match, the Terrapin’s Dallas Brown was able to score a 4-3 decision win over Phil Mandzik.

The Mountaineers will resume action next Sunday, as they compete in the Wolfpack Open in Raleigh, N.C.

Results vs. No. 15 Maryland
Team Score: 24-10 Maryland
125: Shane Gentry (UMD) wins by medical forfeit
133: No. 18 Geoffrey Alexander (UMD) dec. No. 17 Colin Johnston (WVU), 7-5
141: No. 19 Nathan Pennesi (WVU) maj. dec. Danny O’Malley (UMD), 10-1
149: Lou Mascola (UMD) dec. Brutus Scheffel (WVU), 9-4
157: Dominic Prezzia (WVU) dec. Brady Massaro (UMD), 5-2
165: Ross Renzi (WVU) dec. Josh Snook (UMD), 6-3
174: No. 4 John Asper (UMD) dec. Bubba Scheffel (WVU), 5-3
184: No. 10 Jimmy Sheptock (UMD) dec. No. 20 Lance Bryson (WVU), 4-1
197: No. 10 Christian Boley (UMD) dec. A.J. Vizcarrondo (WVU), 9-6
HWT: Dallas Brown (UMD) dec. Phil Mandzik (WVU), 4-3


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