NEW YORK - In the home opener at University Gymanasium in front of a boisterous crowd, the Columbia wrestling team dropped a hard fought match to Binghamton, 29-13, on Saturday, January 8. The Lions picked up wins at 133, 174 and heavyweight. With the loss, Columbia slips to 3-4 while the Bearcats improve to 8-3.
With the match beginning at 174 pounds, Stephen West put Columbia ahead 3-0 with a decision over Ryan McGarity. The sophomore won a tight 6-4 battle to give the Lions the early lead.
The Bearcats would respond with back-to-back wins at 184 pounds and 197 pounds to take a 7-3 lead. Binghamton's Nate Schiedel, currently ranked ninth in the country, earned a major decision over Nick Mills at 184 pounds, while Cody Reed had an 8-3 decision over Mike Pushpak at 197 pounds.
Kevin Lester snapped the visiting team's run with a victory at heavyweight. Lester needed just 1:18 to pin his opponent, Dan Bittner, putting the Lions ahead 9-7.
Binghamton's Derek Steeley responded with a pin of his own in the following bout at 125 pounds, reclaiming the Bearcats lead at 13-9.
Next up was Kyle Gilchrist at 133 pounds who dominated his opponent Dan Riggi, winning 12-4 for a major decision. With the win, the overall team score was knotted at 13 all.
Unfortunately from there it was all Binghamton as the Bearcats won the final four bouts of the match. Binghamton had decisions at 141 and 157 pounds, a major decision at 149 pounds, and a win by fall at 165 pounds.
Columbia (3-4) returns to action on January 22-23 when it travels to Binghamton, N.Y. for the New York State Tournament.
Columbia 13, Binghamton 29
125 - Derek Steeley (Binghamton) pinned Penn Gottfried, 1:57
133 - Kyle Gilchrist (Columbia) major dec. Dan Riggi, 12-4
141 - Anwar Goeres (Binghamton) dec. Matt Bystol, 9-3
149 - #18 Donnie Vinson (Binghamton) major dec. Shane Strumwasser, 12-2
157 - Matt Kaylor (Binghamton) dec. Jake O'Hara, 12-5
165 - #19 Justin Lister (Binghamton) pinned Eren Civan, 1:54
*174 - Stephen West (Columbia) dec. Ryan McGarity, 6-4
184 - #9 Nate Schiedel (Binghamton) major dec. Nick Mills, 19-7
197 - Cody Reed dec. Mike Pushpak, 8-3
Hwt. - Kevin Lester (Columbia) pinned Dan Bittner, 1:18
*first bout
