GRARNTHAM, Pa. - The Messiah wrestling team capped off the 2022 regular season on Saturday with a dual against the No. 16 Lions from The College of New Jersey. Messiah won three bouts on the afternoon, claiming victory points in two of their wins, but fell by a final score of 34-13. Leading the effort was
Garret Cornell with a fall at 157 lbs. and
Carter Urich with a major decision at 285 lbs. for the Falcons.
John Sumner also earned a decision at 174 lbs. to round out the scoring for the Falcons on the afternoon. The Falcons finish the regular season with an 8-8 record in duals on the year.
Messiah will now take a week off from competition and prepare for the NCAA Regional Tournament that is scheduled for Feb. 25-26 at Lycoming College.
How It Happened
The Lions got off to a quick start, earning three falls in the first four bouts of the day to build a 21-0 lead over the Falcons.
Garret Cornell got Messiah on the board with a pin of his own at 157 lbs., defeating the Lions' Matt Sacco with a fall in 6:03. Cornell nearly earned his pin in the second period, claiming four nearfall points instead to build a 6-2 lead heading to the final period. After choosing bottom to begin the third, Cornell earned a quick reversal before putting Sacco on his back midway through the period.
After the Lions earned an injury forfeit late in the third at 165 lbs.,
John Sumner clinched an exciting decision at 174 lbs. for the Falcons. Sumner won his bout with TCNJ's Reid Colella by an 11-8 decision, picking up three takedowns and a reversal in the match. He held off a late charge from Colella in the third period to give the Falcons three more team points.
TCNJ earned an 8-1 decision at 184 lbs. and a 12-3 major decision at 197 lbs., but
Carter Urich ended the match with a 9-1 major decision for the Falcons at 285 lbs. After a scoreless opening period, Urich earned an escape, a takedown, and four nearfall points in the second to build a 7-0 lead. With the help of a takedown in the third, Urich earned the 9-1 major decision.
The early lead that TCNJ built carried them to a 34-12 victory in the match.
What's Up Next
The Falcons will take a week off from competition and return to the mats at the NCAA Regional Tournament, hosted by Lycoming College on Feb. 25-26. Messiah will send their starting line-up to the Regional with the top three finishers from each weight class, punching their ticket to the National Championships that will take place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in mid-March.
TCNJ defeats Messiah 34-12
125 - Ryan Rosenthal (TCNJ) fall (:59) over
Hunter Rinehart (Mess)
133 - Jake Giordano (TCNJ) dec. (5-3) over
Dalton Daugherty (Mess)
141 - Domenic Difrancescantonio (TCNJ) fall (3:43) over
Mason Casey (Mess)
149 - Mike Conklin (TCNJ) fall (2:44) over
Ike Bryner (Mess)
157 -
Garret Cornell (Mess) fall (6:03) over Matt Sacco (TCNJ)
165 - Matt Surich (TCNJ) medical forfeit (6:02) over
Hunter Zacerous (Mess)
174 -
John Sumner (Mess) dec. (11-8) over Reid Colella (TCNJ)
184 - Daniel Surich (TCNJ) dec. (8-1) over
Ryder Slayton (Mess)
197 - Quinn Haddad (TCNJ) maj. dec. (12-3) over
Joe Embleton (Mess)
285 -
Carter Urich (Mess) maj. dec. (9-1) over Thomas Marretta (TCNJ)
Ex - Kyle Nase (TCNJ) dec. (7-2) over
Jordan Howard (Mess)
Ex - Jack Murray (TCNJ) dec. (8-6) over
Tyler Riley (Mess)
Ex - Peter Wersinger (TCNJ) fall (:48) over
Christian Conner (Mess)
*Messiah was deducted one team point for a Mat Control violation during the 165 lbs. match
