#20 TCNJ WRESTLERS RALLY PAST #19 WILKES, 20-18
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Ewing, NJ… In a showdown of nationally-ranked wrestling programs, The College of New Jersey overcame an early deficit to rally past visiting Wilkes University on Tuesday as the Lions prevailed by the score of 20-18.
The Lions (13-3) are ranked 20th in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III poll, while the Colonels (15-6-1) are one spot higher at 19th.
Prior to the match, the Lions recognized their five seniors for their dedication and commitment to TCNJ’s program. Honored were Steve Carbone (Cranford, NJ/Cranford), Lenny Goduto (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley), Ray Sarinelli (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills), Jim Tomczuk (Delran, NJ/Delran) and Shawn Vanwingerden (Wantage, NJ/High Point).
The Colonels opened the match with a win at 125 pounds as Shaun Farnham (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) pulled out a 4-2 decision giving the visitors an early 3-0 advantage.
The Lions came back to take the lead at 133 as Sarinelli, who is ranked ninth in his weight class nationally, posted a 13-4 major decision, but that lead was short lived as Brandon Prentice (Ogdensburg, NJ/Wallkill) edged TCNJ’s Brian Suozzo (Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge) by the count of 6-4 in overtime at 141.
The next weight class, 149 pounds, also needed overtime to determine a winner with Wilkes again pulling out a win as Erik Smith (Danville, PA/Danville) edged John Barnett (Oak Ridge, NJ/Jefferson Twp.), 3-1. That win put the Colonels in front 9-4.
The Lions crept closer at 157 pounds as Dan DiColo (Budd Lake, NJ/Mt. Olive) won 8-6 and then reclaimed the lead when Justin Bonitatis (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) collected a narrow 7-6 decision at 165 putting TCNJ back in the lead at 10-9.
At 174 pounds, Al Wonesh (Columbus, NJ/Northern Burlington) made it three straight victories of the hosts as the junior won by fall in 4:54. Then at 184 pounds, Lion junior Greg Osgoodby (Waldwick, NJ/Waldwick) recorded an 11-2 major decision against Shawn Bradley (Jim Thorpe, PA/Jim Thorpe) putting TCNJ in front 20-9.
Wilkes added another victory at 197 as Zach Pizarro (Easton, PA/Easton) slipped past Vanwingerden, 5-1 and in the final bout of the night the Colonels won by fall as Andrew Feldman (Shavertown, PA/Wyoming Valley West) won his bout in 4:05 making the final a two-point difference.
TCNJ has a busy weekend in front of them competing at the Metropolitan Conference/New England Duals hosted by Roger William University on Saturday before heading Springfield College for a dual meet on Sunday. The Colonels also have a busy slate this weekend with three dual meets at Franklin & Marshall on Saturday.