WEST POINT, N.Y. - Columbia won six of 10 bouts in an exciting 20-13 victory over EIWA foe Army on Friday January 7. This marks the first time the Lions have defeated the Black Knights since a 14-12 win at Army during the 1940-41 season.  Competing for the first time since early December, the Lions came out roaring, and with the win evened its record at 3-3 overall. 

Army jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a close 5-4 decision at 125 pounds.  Penn Gottfried trailed for most of the match, but battled his way back.  The first-year scored a takedown with less than 10 seconds to go, but time ran out as Travis Coffey held on.

In a thrilling match at 133 pounds, Kyle Gilchrist scored a takedown with 30 seconds to go in the overtime period for a 3-1 sudden victory win. Earlier in the match, Jordan Thome accumulated over a minute of riding time when Gilchrist was unable to escape after starting down in the second.  The score was tied when Thome got called for his second stall, ultimately forcing the overtime period. The win for Gilchrist avenged a loss to Thome the prior weekend when Thome had an 8-0 major decision over Gilchrist at the Southern Scuffle.

The Black Knights picked up a major decision at 141 pounds to take a 7-3 team lead, but Steve Santos responded with a major decision of his own to knot the score at 7-7. Santos dominated from the opening whistle, and scored five points against Nick Bundy in the last 30 seconds to win 10-1 and pick up the bonus points.

At 174 pounds, Stephen West had two takedowns in the first two periods to take a 4-2 lead into the third. West tacked on one last escape and held on for a 5-2 win, giving Columbia a 13-10 lead with three bouts to go.

After a scoreless first period, Nick Mills escaped seconds into the second to take a 1-0 lead at 184 pounds.  Coming out of a restart, Mills attacked and had a quick takedown to push his lead to three with 1:32 to go in the period. The sophomore added two late takedowns and cruised to an 8-2 victory.

Army cut the score to 16-13 with a decision at 197 pounds, setting up the final bout of the evening.  Heavyweight Kevin Lester dominated Christian Botero from the opening whistle, defeating the Black Knight 10-1 for a major decision, and sealing a 20-13 win for the Lions.

Columbia (3-3) will have a quick turnaround as the team hosts Binghamton in the home opener at University Gymnasium on Saturday, January 8 at 2 p.m.

Columbia 20, Army 13

125 -Travis Coffey (Army) dec. Penn Gottfried, 5-4
133 - Kyle Gilchrist (Columbia) dec. Jordan Thome, 3-1 sv
141 - Casey Thome (Army) major dec. Matt Bystol, 10-0
149 - Steve Santos (Columbia) major dec. Nick Bundy, 10-1
157 - Rudy Chelednik (Army) dec. Jake O'Hara, 7-0
165 - Eren Civan (Columbia) dec. Alex Smith, 6-5
174 - Stephen West (Columbia) dec. Collin Wittmeyer , 5-2
184 - Nick Mills (Columbia) dec. Robert Doyle, 8-2
197 - Daniel Mills (Army) dec. Mike Pushpak, 10-5
Hwt. - Kevin Lester (Columbia) major dec. Christian Botero, 10-1