CLEVELAND, Ohio - Time and again the Cleveland State University wrestling team was within striking distance against its Rider opponents, but the nationally ranked Broncs won tight matches up and down the lineup to claim a 30-6 victory in CSU's Eastern Wrestling League opener Friday evening inside Woodling Gymnasium.
Rider, who owns wins over a pair of Big XII foes this season, won seven matches via decision, including two by a single point and another two by a trio of points.
Redshirt senior Nick Corba picked up a win at 184 pounds for CSU to improve his team-leading win total to 19. Last season, Rider's starter at 184 lost to Corba at both the EWL Tournament and the NCAA Championships, where he was pinned. Rider did not send an opponent out to face Corba in his match.
Redshirt senior Gabe Stark, redshirt senior John Martin and redshirt freshman Ryan Ford all took a lead against their foes but would wind up falling via decision.
After dropping a bout to a top-three ranked wrestler in the country to start at 165 pounds, Stark took a 2-0 lead in his bout. He trailed just, 6-5, in the third period but was unable to pull ahead.
The teams then traded wins via bonus points at the next two weights.
Sophomore Collin Kelly trailed just, 2-1, entering the third period at heavyweight but could not grab a lead in the final two minutes. Martin, who had a first-period lead, also trailed by a single point, 3-2, entering the final frame, but neither athlete would score in third stanza.
Redshirt sophomore Andrew Coghill had a lead after the first period at 133 pounds. The bout was tied in the waning seconds of the second period, but the Bronc wrestler posted a takedown with three seconds left to take the lead. Coghill cut his deficit to a single point in the third but could not even the proceedings.
Junior Evan Cheek had his winning streak come to an end at 141 pounds as his valiant comeback effort came up short. Cheek trailed, 4-0, after three minutes but rallied to tie the match, 4-4, after two frames. An escape in the third gave his opponent the lead that Rider did not relinquish.
In a hotly contested match at 149 pounds, Ford came up short in heartbreaking fashion. Ford had the lead after the first period and was tied, 3-3, during the third but ended up falling by a point.
Rider ended the match with another win via decision at 157 pounds.
Friday marked the EWL debut for true freshmen Georgio Poullas and John Kelbly along with Ford.
Cleveland State will have a split EWL dual schedule next weekend, one at home and one on the road. The Vikings begin the weekend by hosting George Mason Saturday, Jan. 27, at Noon.
No. 19 Rider 30, Cleveland State 6
165: Chad Walsh (RID) over Georgio Poullas (CSU) - Fall 5:39 | Rider leads, 6-0
174: Dean Sherry (RID) over Gabe Stark (CSU) - 9-5 dec. | Rider leads, 9-0
184: Nick Corba (CSU) over N/A (RID) - Forfeit | Rider leads, 9-6
197: Ethan Laird (RID) over John Kelbly (CSU) - 11-2 MD | Rider leads, 13-6
285: Mauro Correnti (RID) over Collin Kelly (CSU) - 5-2 dec. | Rider leads, 16-6
125: J.R. Wert (RID) over John Martin (CSU) - 3-2 dec. | Rider leads, 19-6
133: Jonathan Tropea (RID) over Andrew Coghill (CSU) - 10-5 dec. | Rider leads, 22-6
141: Tyson Dippery (RID) over Evan Cheek (CSU) - 7-4 dec. | Rider leads, 25-6
One team point deducted from Rider for bench conduct during 149-pound match
149: Gary Dinmore (RID) over Ryan Ford (CSU) - 5-4 dec. | Rider leads, 27-6
157: B.J. Clagon (RID) over Ryan Montgomery (CSU) - 11-5 dec. | Rider wins, 30-6
