TROY, N.Y. - The Columbia wrestling team went 1-2 at the Northeast Duals on Saturday, November 27. The Lions fell to #21 Virginia 30-3, before bouncing back to defeat George Mason 40-6. In the its final match of the day, the Lions were defeated 29-9 by #24 Rutgers. Kyle Gilchrist finished 3-0 on the day, while Steve Santos had a big upset win over Rutgers' #11 Mario Mason.
Gilchrist picked up Columbia's lone victory in its setback to Virginia. The junior defeated Joseph Spisak 2-0 at 133 pounds. Three other Lions had close battles at 149, 157, and 165, all losing by two or less points. Santos was narrowly edged by Derek Valenti 2-0 at 149 pounds, Jake O'Hara lost to Shawn Harris 6-4 at 157 pounds, and Eren Civan had a heartbreaking 5-4 setback to Charles Miller at 165 pounds.
Columbia bounced back in its next match to easily handle George Mason, winning all but one bout. The lone victory for George Mason came at 197 pounds where Cayle Byers, ranked sixth nationally, pinned Pushpak in 1:59.
After back-to-back forfeits by the Bulldogs at 125 and 133 pounds, Houldsworth and Santos each won by decision at 141 and 149, respectively. At 157 pounds, O'Hara had a 10-2 major decision over Aaron Keeton, while Nick Standish pinned Donald Takagi in 4:35 at 165 pounds. Stephen West followed that with a pin of his own, needing just 2:37 to win by fall over Greg Scott. Nic Mills narrowly edged Bagna Tovuujav 6-5 at 184, while KevinLester had a 4-2 decision over Hunter Manspile at heavyweight.
In the final match of the day against Rutgers, Gilchrist picked up his third win of the day while Santos had a huge upset win at 149 pounds. Gilchrist earned a 3-1 victory over Mike Demarco to improve to 7-2 on the season, and a perfect 5-0 in dual action.
The highlight of the match, however, was Santos pinning Mario Mason, currently ranked 11th in the nation, in 6:55. Santos trailed 4-1 after two periods, but pulled within two with an escape to begin the third. Mason managed another takedown to push his lead to four, before Santos again escaped and countered with a takedown of his own. The sophomore then managed to turn the Scarlet Knight, earning his second victory over a ranked opponent this season.
Columbia (2-3) returns to action on December 3-5 when it competes in the Las Vegas Invitational in Las Vegas Nevada.
#21 Virginia 30, Columbia 3
125 - Matthew Snyder (V) dec. Penn Gottfried, 7-4
133 - Kyle Gilchrist (C) dec. Joseph Spisak, 3-0
141 - Augustus Sako (V) dec. Josh Houldsworth, 9-3
149 - Derek Valenti (V) dec. Steve Santos, 2-0
157 - Shawn Harris (V) dec. Jake O'Hara, 6-4
165 - Charles Miller (V) dec. Eren Civan, 5-4
174 - #2 Christopher Henrich (V) major dec. Stephen West, 15-3
184 -#19 Jonathan Fausey (V) dec. Nick Mills, 5-2
197 -#17 Michael Salopek (V) major dec. Mike Pushpak, 11-0
Hwt. - John Danilkowicz (V) major dec. Kevin Lester, 14-6
Columbia 40, George Mason 6
125 - Penn Gottfried (C) wins by forfeit
133 - Kyle Gilchrist (C wins by forfeit
141 - Josh Houldsworth (C) dec. Brian Benton, 8-3
149 - Steve Santos (C) dec. Brandon Bucher, 3-1
157 - Jake O'Hara (C) major dec. Aaron Keeton, 10-2
165 - Nick Standish (C) pinned Donald Takagi, 4:35
174 - Stephen West (C) pinned Greg Scott, 2:37
184 - Nick Mills (C) dec. Bagna Tovuujav, 6-5
197 - #6 Cayle Byers (GM) pinned Mike Pushpak, 1:59
Hwt. - Kevin Lester (C) dec. Hunter Manspile, 4-2
#24 Rutgers 29, Columbia 9
125 - Matt Fusco (R) dec. Penn Gottfried, 6-2
133 - Kyle Gilchrist (C) dec. Mike Demarco, 3-1
141 - Jordan Beverly (R) dec. Josh Houldsworth, 4-1
149 - Steve Santos (C) pinned #11 Mario Mason, 6:55
157 - Daryle Cocozzo (R) major dec. Jake O'Hara, 11-0
165 - #8 Scott Winston (R) major dec. Eren Civan, 10-2
174 - Alex Caruso (R) dec. Stephen West, 2-1
184 - Daniel Rinaldi (R) dec. Nick Mills, 2-1
197 - Michael Wagner (R) dec. Mike Pushpak, 9-3
Hwt. - #5 DJ Russo (R) pinned Kevin Lester, 2:57
