WVU Falls to No. 5 Oklahoma State
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (January 18, 2014) – The West Virginia University wrestling team fell to No. 5 Oklahoma State, 30-6, on Saturday night at the WVU Coliseum.
“We battled at every weight class,” says coach Craig Turnbull. “We can build on this and go out with a better effort next time. We went out with the mindset that we wanted to win and get points, and that was a very good team we faced out there.”
Senior Colin Johnston (141) put the Mountaineers (9-3, 0-2 Big 12) on the board after the Cowboys (4-3, 1-1 Big 12) jumped out to a 7-0 lead. Johnston tallied WVU's first takedown, wrestling No. 12 Anthony Collica to the mat twice in the first period. Collica recorded an escape and reversal to bring the bout to 4-3 in Johnston's favor midway through the first period. An escape by Collica to start the second knotted the match at four, but Johnston took Collica down for a third time and turned him on his back for a two-point nearfall to earn the decision, 8-4. Johnston has now defeated back-to-back ranked opponents.
“Colin is becoming more confident. He struggled last year with his weight and injuries, and it snowballed to where it took some of his confidence,” Turnbull says. “Now he is beyond it. With two wins over ranked opponents, he is sticking his chest out a little bit more, and it is coming at the right time in the year.”
At 197 pounds, freshman Leo Trindade gave the Mountaineers their second victory of the match. Trindade came out with a quick takedown against Darnell Bortz. After two escapes by Bortz, Trindade retook the lead in the second period with his second takedown of the bout, 4-2. He extended his lead to start the final period with a reversal, and with ride time advantage, Trindade clinched the 8-6 decision.
OSU started the match with wins at 125 and 133 pounds. Freshman Cory Stainbrook (125) gave up a late takedown in the first period, but kicked out of No. 17 Eddie Klimara's grasp just before the buzzer to bring the score to 2-1. Kliamara would score a reversal and a late takedown to seal the bout, 7-2.
Senior Nathan Pennesi (133) fell behind early to No. 4 Jon Morrison, being taken to the mat in the first minute. Pennesi escaped to bring the bout within a point, but he would give up five more takedowns on the way to dropping the 14-4 major decision.
At 149 pounds, junior Mike Morales gave up a first period takedown to No. 8 Josh Kindig. Morales was taken to his back for a two-point nearfall to fall behind 4-0. After earning an escape point to start the second, Morales gave up another takedown to fall, 6-2.
At 174 pounds, sophomore Bubba Scheffel wrestled the defending national champion in No. 2 Chris Perry. Scheffel was taken to the mat midway through the opening period, and later was wrestled to his back for a two-point nearfall at the edge of the mat. In the second, Scheffel gave up an escape and takedown to give Perry a 7-0 lead. Scheffel tallied a takedown late, but Perry tacked on two more points with a quick reversal. Perry would hold on to win the major decision, 16-6.
WVU's loss snaps a six-match win streak, with its last loss occurring at then-No. 17 Iowa State on Nov. 15. The Mountaineers are back in action on Feb. 1 against No. 13 Pitt at the WVU Coliseum at 7 p.m.
WVU 6 No. 5 OSU 30
125: No. 17 Eddie Klimara wins by decision over Cory Stainbrook, 7-2
133: No. 4 Jon Morrison wins by major decision over Nathan Pennesi, 14-4
141: Colin Johnston wins by decision over No. 12 Anthony Collica, 8-4
149: No. 8 Josh Kindig wins by decision over Mike Morales, 6-2
157: No. 2 Alex Dieringer wins by fall over Brutus Scheffel, 4:27
165: No. 5 Tyler Caldwell wins by decision over Ross Renzi, 6-1
174: No. 2 Chris Perry wins by major decision over Bubba Scheffel, 16-6
184: Nolan Boyd wins by major decision over Mac Mancuso, 13-1
197: Leo Trindade wins by decision over Darnell Bortz, 8-6
285: No. 14 Austin Marsden wins by decision over A.J. Vizcarrondo, 4-1
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