CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Columbia wrestling team capitalized on bonus point opportunities with three pins, a tech fall and a major decision to post a 27-15 dual victory over Cleveland State in the first dual match of the season Friday night inside Woodling Gymnasium.
Columbia (1-0) and Cleveland State (0-1) split the 10 bouts, taking five each. The Lions used bonus points in all five bout wins to secure a convincing road victory that marks Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling Donny Pritzlaff's first career dual win as the leader of the Columbia program.
"Tonight came down to our five leaders going out there and taking charge of the opposition," Pritzlaff said. "Kai got us going and the momentum continued. Half the lineup had the killer instinct we preach to the team and we will improve from this and be better Sunday."
Columbia starts the season with a 1-0 dual record for the first time since the 2018-19 season. The Lions are now 2-0 all-time against Cleveland State after previously defeating the Vikings, 34-12 in 2019.
Cleveland State jumped out to a 6-0 lead with wins in the 125 and 133 bouts. Ben Aranda got the night started with a tight 6-4 decision win over
Sulayman Bah in the 125 spot. Jake Manley followed that up with a 9-3 decision victory against
Boris Witmer at 133-pounds.
26
th-ranked
Kai Owen switched the momentum to Columbia's side in the 141 bout when he pinned Landen Duncan to even the team score. Owen worked quick to get the fall in 2:30.
Richard Fedalen put the Lions in front for good as he pinned Connor Saylor in 5:36 to win the 149 bout. The back-to-back pins put Columbia ahead, 12-6 through four bouts.
The Vikings answered Columbia's two pins as Douglas Terry was able to hold on to a 4-2 decision win over
Rawson Iwanicki in the 157 spot.
Columbia then fired back with three straight bout victories to secure the dual match win. No. 29
Cesar Alvan got the streak going by quickly pinning Tate Geiser in the 165 bout. Alvan showed off some impressive moves to secure the fall in just 1:01.
Jack McGill followed with a dominant 18-3 tech fall win against Gavin Ricketts in the 174 bout.
Nick Fine capped off Columbia's successful run with a 10-1 major decision over JR Reed at 184 pounds.
Cleveland State posted wins in the 197 and 285 bouts to finish off the match. Joey Lyons took a 6-1 decision against
Ike Schmidt at 197. No. 22 Daniel Bucknavich finished off the match with a 3-0 decision against
Vincent Mueller at 285.
RESULTS
125: Ben Aranda (Cleveland State) def.
Sulayman Bah (Columbia) | Decision, 6-4
133: Jake Manley (Cleveland State) def.
Boris Witmer (Columbia) | Decision, 9-3
141: #26
Kai Owen (Columbia) def. Landen Duncan (Cleveland State) | Fall, 2:30
149:
Richard Fedalen (Columbia) def. Connor Saylor (Cleveland State) | Fall, 5:36
157: Douglas Terry (Cleveland State) def.
Rawson Iwanicki (Columbia) | Decision, 4-2
165: #29
Cesar Alvan (Columbia) def. Tate Geiser (Cleveland State) | Fall, 1:01
174:
Jack McGill (Columbia) def. Gavin Ricketts (Cleveland State) | Tech Fall, 18-3
184:
Nick Fine (Columbia) def. JR Reed (Cleveland State) | Major Decision, 10-1
197: Joey Lyons (Cleveland State) def.
Ike Schmidt (Columbia) | Decision, 6-1
285: #22 Daniel Bucknavich (Cleveland State) def.
Vincent Mueller (Columbia) | Decision, 3-0
UP NEXT
Columbia will finish its weekend road trip with a dual match at No. 9 Michigan on Sunday. Action in Ann Arbor is slated to start at 5 p.m. ET with live streaming available on Big Ten Plus.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
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