University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers fall 26-12 to Buckeyes, Place Fourth
1/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Cedar Falls, Iowa - The Minnesota wrestling team closed out the 2010 Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals with a fourth place finish today (Jan. 10), falling 26-12 to Ohio State in the third place match.
Zach Sanders (Wabasha, Minn.) opened the dual with a 10-3 decision to put Minnesota (5-4) ahead 3-0 early, but Ohio State (11-1) strung together wins in the next five matches to take a 17-3 lead.
At 174, Scott Glasser (Bismarck, N.D.) got back in the win column after his 11-match winning streak was snapped earlier in the day. No. 13 Glasser gained an 8-3 decision over No. 20 Dave Rella to bring the Gophers back within 11 at 17-6.
The Gophers struggled all day - and all weekend - with injuries, and at 184 the depleted Minnesota line-up suffered a forfeit loss which sealed the win for the Buckeyes. With just two matches to go, Ohio State had it wrapped up at 23-6.
Sonny Yohn (Alamosa, Colo.) was able to get the six points right back for the Gophers though, as he gained a medical forfeit at 197 when Cody Magrum was unable to finish the match. Just over two minutes into the bout, Magrum screamed and grabbed his arm causing the match to be stopped. He was unable to return, giving the win to Yohn.
Yohn was the last win for Minnesota, as Ohio State heavyweight Corey Morrison used a late scoring rally to sneak a win away from Ben Berhow (Hayward, Minn.) in the final match of the day. Berhow had a lead momentarily, but Morrison out scored him late on the way to a 9-4 win.
The Buckeyes built up their lead with wins at 133, 141, 149, 157 and 165. Filling in for Jayson Ness (Bloomington, Minn) at 133, Thane Antczak (Prairie Farm, Wis.) dropped a narrow 6-4 decision, before No. 7 Mike Thorn (St. Michael, Minn.) lost an equally tough 5-3 decision to No. 1 Reece Humphrey at 141.
At 149, fans saw another match-up of ranked opponents with No. 18 Mario Mason (Moorestown, N.J.) taking on No. 3 Lance Palmer. Palmer proved to be too much for Mason, gaining the 7-1 win. Joe Grygelko (Greenfield, Minn.) fell at 157, and Nate Matousek (Glencoe, Minn.) lost to No. 7 Colt Sponseller at 165 before Glasser won at 174.
The fourth place finish betters the Gophers sixth place tally from last season, and matches their finish form the 2008 National Duals.
Minnesota is off now until opening Big Ten action on Jan. 22 at Michigan State.
125: #6 Zach Sanders (MINN) dec. Nikko Triggas (OSU), 10-3 / 0-3
133: Ian Paddock (OSU) dec. Thane Antczak (MINN), 6-4 / 3-3
141: #1 Reece Humphrey (OSU) dec. #7 Mike Thorn (MINN), 5-3 / 6-3
149: #3 Lance Palmer (OSU) dec. #18 Mario Mason (MINN), 7-1 / 9-3
157: Tony Jameson (OSU) maj. Joe Grygelko (MINN), 18-9 / 13-3
165: #7 Colt Sponseller (OSU) maj. Nate Matousek (MINN), 11-1 / 17-3
174: #13 Scott Glasser (MINN) dec. #20 Dave Rella (OSU), 8-3 / 17-6
184: #8 Mike Pucillo (OSU) For - , 23-6
197: #15 Sonny Yohn (MINN) MFor Cody Margum (OSU), 2:05 / 23-12
HWT: Corey Morrison (OSU) dec. Ben Berhow (MINN), 9-4 / 26-12
Players Mentioned
