Dec. 18, 2005
WEST CHESTER, Ohio - Two pins in the final three matches doomed the Ohio wrestling team Sunday as the Bobcats lost 22-18 to Findlay at Lakota East High School outside Cincinnati.
After major decisions by Caleb Metcalf (Waterville, Ohio) and Jim Fowler (Valley City, Ohio) and wins by Anthony Spooner (Cleveland, Ohio) and Ryan Knapp (McConnelsville, Ohio), the Bobcats (3-4) led 14-10 with three matches to go in the dual meet. The Roughnecks (2-2) showed why they are ranked fifth in all of Division II, however, and recorded six-point falls at 184 pounds and heavyweight to sneak away with the victory.
"We really looked good as a team and that's why it's so frustrating," said Ohio head coach Joel Greenlee about the loss. "We went out there and were aggressive and physical. We hustled and really did the things that we were supposed to do to win a dual so that's the bright side of it."
Findlay's first four wins came from their nationally ranked wrestlers. Andy Uhl, the top-ranked 133-pounder in Division II, tied the meet at 4-4 with a 14-3 major decision over Albert Madsen (Strongsville, Ohio). Then, fourth-ranked Tony Guerra and second-ranked Angelo Vettese scored 4-0 and 9-3 decisions, respectively, to give the Roughnecks an 11-8 lead halfway through the event.
Spooner and Knapp then stepped up to give the Bobcats a four-point advantage heading into the 184-pound contest. Ohio junior Brian Cesear (Amherst, Ohio) fought back from an early deficit to tie the match at 8-8 after the third period but was pinned in overtime to give seventh-ranked Clint Salisbury the sudden victory.
"The pin at 184 killed us," said Ohio head coach Joel Greenlee. "We had a lot of good things happen today but we're just not good enough to give up big points and still win. We're missing four starters right now and maybe if we have just one of those guys, like Marcus Adelman, we're 6-1 right now instead of 3-4."
Junior 197-pounder Nick Terbay (Dayton, Ohio) gave the Bobcats an 18-16 lead with a 13-3 major decision but Larry Reichard (New Albany, Ohio) was pinned by Findlay heavyweight Travis Clark in the meet's final match.
Next up for the Bobcats is the Southern Scuffle, hosted by UNC Greensboro at the Greensboro Coliseum's Special Events Center on Dec. 29-30. Six nationally ranked teams are slated to compete in the 31-team event, including 58 individuals ranked in the Top 20 of their respective weight classes.
Findlay 22, Ohio 18
125 - Caleb Metcalf (Ohio) major dec. Craig Fechko, 10-1
133 - Andy Uhl (Findlay) major dec. Albert Madsen, 14-3
141 - Jim Fowler (Ohio) major dec. Dave Manoogian, 8-0
149 - Tony Guerra (Findlay) dec. Aaron Gomoll, 4-0
157 - Angelo Vettese (Findlay) dec. Mike Grandominico, 9-3
165 - Anthony Spooner (Ohio) dec. Andy Zalaiskains, 13-10
174 - Ryan Knapp (Ohio) dec. Jeff Ostholthoff, 7-1
184 - Clint Salisbury (Findlay) fall Brian Cesear, SV
197 - Nick Terbay (Ohio) major dec. Justin Tazzi, 13-3
HWT - Travis Clark (Findlay) fall Larry Reichard, 1:58
