Wrestling Concludes Regular Season With 28-10 Loss At Penn
Tigers turn sights towards EIWA championships in two weeks.
PHILADELPHIA – Junior Jake Butler kept his winning streak alive while both Alex Enriquez and Jack Fleming earned victories, but the Princeton wrestling team fell 28-10 to Penn Saturday afternoon at the Palestra. The loss ends Princeton’s regular season with a 5-9 overall record.
The No. 24 Quakers jumped out to a huge lead in the match. Following an 8-4 decision by Matt Smith at heavyweight, Penn received a forfeit win at 125 pounds and then a trio of major decisions.
Freshman Alex Enriquez got Princeton on the board with a 7-4 victory at 157 pounds over Brock Wittmeyer. The freshman, despite a variety of recent injuries, has been one of the bright spots for Princeton and will carry the momentum of this victory into the EIWA championships, which take place during the first weekend of March at Navy.
The highlight match of the afternoon came at 165 pounds, as Rich Ferguson recorded a takedown of Princeton senior tri-captain Charlie Wiggins during the second overtime. Wiggins carried a 3-2 lead into the third period but lost a penalty point that forced overtime. Ferguson used that to extend the match and eventually pull out the hard-fought win.
Following another major decision for Penn, Princeton closed the match with some momentum of its own. Senior tri-captain Jack Fleming earned a 6-3 decision over Dan Gallagher at 184 pounds, and then Jake Butler recorded a 10-0 major decision over Marcus Schontube. Butler has been Princeton’s hottest wrestler of late with six straight victories. The 2004 EIWA placewinner and current fifth seed in the league rankings has the best opportunity to place in the 2005 championships, although several other Tigers are ready to make their mark.
No. 24 Penn 28, Princeton 10
125: Mason Lenhard (Penn) won by forfeit
133: Jeff Eveleth (Penn) maj. Greg Redman (Pr), 8-0
141: #15 Doug McGraw (Penn) maj. Eric Marcotulli (Pr), 9-1
149: Kyle Bernholz (Penn) maj. Andy Ianuzzi (Pr), 14-4
157: Alex Enriquez (Pr) dec. Brock Wittmeyer (Penn), 7-4
165: Rich Ferguson (Penn) dec. Charlie Wiggins (Pr), 5-3 (sv-2)
174: Dustin Wiles (Penn) maj. Matt DeNichilo (Pr), 18-10
184: Jack Fleming (Pr) dec. Dan Gallagher (Penn), 6-3
197: Jake Butler (Pr) maj. Marcus Schontube (Penn), 10-0
*285: Matt Smith (Penn) dec. Logan Lowe (Pr), 8-4
*Indicates starting weight class
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