BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - After holding a slim lead after the first day of competition, the Columbia wrestling team was narrowly edged by Binghamton on day two of the New York State Championships.  The Bearcats won the team title with 149.5 points, followed by the Lions with 132.5 and Army with 126.  Kevin Lester led the Lions by winning the title at heavyweight, while Penn Gottfried, Kyle Gilchrist and Eren Civan each placed second.

Lester advanced to the semi-finals after two decisions on day one of the tournament.  The junior easily defeated David Agu of Nassau with an 11-1 major decision to proceed into the finals.  In his closest bout of the tournament, Lester defeated second-seeded Paul Snyder of Hofstra 4-0 to reclaim the title he won as a first-year back in 2006-07.

Gottfried won his semi-finals match against Max Cohen of Ithaca 3-1 to push him into the finals at his first New York State Championships.  The first-year squared off against Hofstra's Steve Bonanno, the second seed, but dropped an 8-3 decision to finish second at 125 pounds.

Also placing second was Gilchrist at 133 pounds who lost a 4-0 battle to top-seeded Kevin Smith of Buffalo in the finals.  The junior had advanced after pulling out a tight 2-1 decision over Mike McInally of RIT in the semi-finals.

Civan advanced to the finals at 165 pounds after posting a 9-4 decision over Justin James of Brockport in his first match of the day.   Justin Lister of Binghamton and Civan battled hard in the finals, but it was Lister who edged Civan 4-2 to take the title.

Six other Lions placed at the tournament for Columbia.  Shane Strumwasser dropped his semi-finals match to top-seeded and eventual champion Blaine Woczczak of Ithaca, 4-1, and went on to place fourth at 149 pounds.  Jake O'Hara (157), Stephen West (174), and Nick Mills (184) took fifth in their respective weight classes, while Josh Houldsworth (141) and Mike Pushpak (197) each placed eighth.

Columbia (3-4) returns to dual action on Saturday, January 29 when it hosts Millersville, Rider and Franklin & Marshall in University Gym.