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EDINBORO, PA – The Edinboro University
wrestling team spotted Michigan State a 13-0 lead, then came
roaring back with wins in the final seven matches to post a 26-13
win. The victory boosted Edinboro, ranked 14th in the USA
Today/NWCA/InterMat Division I Top 25, to 6-1, while the
Spartans, ranked 19th, are 0-2. The match took place at the Erie
Civic Center as part of the War at the Shore II.
The victory was the 100th of head coach Tim
Flynn's career. The former Penn State All-American is in his tenth
year as Edinboro's head coach, and now has a 100-32-3 record.
The match hardly started off in a promising
manner for the Fighting Scots. MSU's Franklin Gomez, ranked fifth
by InterMat and Amateur Wrestling News, improved to 12-0 with a
12-2 major decision over freshman Eric Morrill at 125 lbs. Morrill
saw his record drop to 4-6.
In the first of three matchups between
nationally-ranked grapplers, top-ranked Nick Simmons recorded an
early takedown and ended up with the win by fall over EU's Ricky
Deubel at 2:22 at 133 lbs.. Simmons, a three-time All-American, is
now 11-0, while Deubel, who came in ranked 16th by Amateur
Wrestling News and 17th by InterMat, fell to 8-4.
Michigan State boosted the lead to 13-0 as Jeff
Wimberley won a 7-5 decision over Daryl Cocozzo at 141 lbs.
Cocozzo, one of two true freshman in the starting lineup, falls to
1-6.
Gregor Gillespie gave Edinboro just what it
needed with a win at 149 lbs. The sophomore, ranked third in both
polls, improved to 12-0 for the season and 52-4 for his career,
dominating his match against Eddie Skowneski with a 9-0 major
decision. The sophomore recorded a takedown early in the first
period, and later picked up a total of five back points to end the
first period with a 7-0 lead. Gillespie ended the bout with over
six minutes in riding time.
Matt Hill pulled Edinboro to 13-7 with a 6-2
decision over Tony Greathouse at 157 lbs. The senior had
previously won by decision over Greathouse in the quarterfinals of
the Michigan State Open. He used a pair of takedowns, an escape
and a riding time point to improve to 12-0. Hill is ranked sixth
by InterMat and seventh by Amateur Wrestling News and now has an
85-35 career record.
In another bout between nationally-ranked foes,
Deonte Penn used a strong finish to win by major decision over
Rocky Cozart, 13-3, at 165 lbs. Penn came in ranked eighth by
Amateur Wrestling News and ninth by InterMat. The senior led 5-3
entering the third period, but picked up a takedown and three
near-fall points among his eight points in the final period. Penn
improves to 10-2 overall and 87-41 in his career.
Phil Moricone gave Edinboro a 15-13 lead with a
12-3 major decision over John Murphy at 174 lbs. The sophomore
used a similar formula to Penn’s with a big third period. He
held a 4-1 lead going into the period, and after a Murphy escape
made it 4-2, Moricone ran off a pair of takedowns and three back
points. He is now 10-3.
Alex Clemsen and Joe Williams met in the third
ranked-vs.-ranked bout. A year ago Clemsen won a tight decision
against Williams at 184 lbs., and this match was no different.
Tied 1-1 in the third period, Clemsen recorded a takedown midway
through the period, and despite a Williams’ escape, he
prevailed 3-2. Clemsen, ranked fifth by Amateur Wrestling News and
tenth by InterMat, improved to 11-1 and moved closer to 100 career
wins with a 95-32 record. Williams, ranked 13th, falls to 9-3.
Senior Jim Gibson turned in an impressive
showing while winn ing by major decision, 10-2, over Nick Palmieri
at 197 lbs. He recorded four takedowsn in the victory, improving
to 9-4.
Joe Fendone made it seven straight wins for the
Fighting Scots with a 9-1 major decision over Alan O’Donnell
at heavyweight. The sophomore, now 10-2 and ranked 12th by
InterMat and 14th by Amateur Wrestling News, registered a takedown
and two back points in the first period. Leading 4-1 going into
the third period, he put the match away with a stalling point, an
esacpe, a takedown, and a riding time point.
Edinboro is back in action next Saturday,
December 9, wrestling at the University at Buffalo, before
beginning EWL action the next day, hosting Lock Haven.
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