Top-Ranked Cowboys Prove Too Much For No. 4 Lehigh
Oklahoma State won its final five bouts to claim the victory
From Lehigh Athletics
Bethlehem, PA – No. 4 Lehigh hung tough with top ranked Oklahoma State for six bouts but the Cowboys proved too much in the end, as they won the final five bouts on the night en route to a 24-9 win in front of a record crowd of 5,828 at Stabler Arena Sunday night. The Mountain Hawks suffered their second tough defeat of the season to the Cowboys as they fall to 20-4 on the season. The two-time defending national champion Cowboys improved to a perfect 20-0.
Lehigh benefited from the match starting at 157 pounds as Derek Zinck and Troy Letters picked up consecutive decisions to take an early 6-0 lead. At 174 Oklahoma State got on the board as defending national champ Chris Pendleton scored an 8-2 win over Travis Frick. The Cowboys evened things at six as Clay Kehrer topped Jon Bruno.
Jon Trenge gave the Mountain Hawks the lead at the halfway point as he scored a late takedown to edge No. 1 Jake Rosholt 3-2. At heavyweight top-ranked Steve Mocco dominated Lehigh’s Paul Weibel, earning a 21-6 tech. fall, but because Mocco scored no near fall points, Oklahoma State received only four team points instead of the traditional five and the Cowboys lead 10-9 after six.
From there Oklahoma State would take the night’s final four bouts. Derek Stevens edged Lehigh’s John Stout, who subbed for Andrew Rizzi, 6-2. Then at 133, Matt Ciasulli had a chance to get the Mountain Hawks back in the mix, but he dropped a tough 6-4 decision to Nathan Morgan. Trailing by one late in the third, Morgan was called for a second stalling violation with one second left and the bout went to overtime. After Ciasulli rode out the first overtime period, he scored an escape in the second, but was called for his second stalling violation and the match continued with another sudden victory period and two more overtimes. Ciasulli needed to ride out the final OT period to secure the win, but slipped off the back and Morgan was able to score the reversal and take the bout.
The Cowboys were able to take the final two bouts as Ronnie Delk beat Jeff Santo, who moved up to fill-in for Cory Cooperman, and Zack Esposito closed the evening with a tech. fall over Dave Nakasone.
The Mountain Hawks will return to the mat next Sunday when Lehigh welcomes No. 25 Penn to Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall. The match gets underway at 2:00. For tickets, call (610) 7LU-GAME, log on to lehighsports.com or visit the Lehigh ticket office, located in Grace Hall
Oklahoma State 24 Lehigh 9
Weight
Match-up
Result
Score
157
Derek Zinck (LU)
Dec.
Kevin Ward (OSU)
6-4
165
Troy Letters (LU)
Dec.
Johny Hendricks (OSU)
5-2
174
Chris Pendleton (OSU)
Dec.
Travis Frick (LU)
8-2
184
Clay Kehrer (OSU)
Dec.
John Bruno (LU)
8-3
197
Jon Trenge (LU)
Dec.
Jake Rosholt (OSU)
3-2
285
Steve Mocco (OSU)
TF-4
Paul Weibel (LU)
21-6 (6:08)
125
Derek Stevens (OSU)
Dec.
John Stout (LU)
6-2
133
Nathan Morgan (OSU)
Dec.
Matt Ciasulli (LU)
6-4 (2OT)
141
Ronnie Delk (OSU)
Dec.
Jeff Santo (LU)
14-12
149
Zack Esposito (OSU)
TF
Dave Nakasone
20- 5 (5:35)
Attendance: 5,828
Referee: Gary Kessel
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