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Wrestling Enhances Program Celebration With Ivy Sweep Of Harvard, Brown
February 08, 2015 | Wrestling
The Princeton coaches honored some of the most distinguished alumni and supporters throughout the day, but it was the way the wrestlers honored them — through tenacious, winning competition — that left the Dillon Gym crowd most excited.
Princeton opened the day with a 24-9 victory over Harvard, then followed with a thrilling 17-16 win over Brown. The nightcap featured a critical two-match stretch late that ultimately turned the match Princeton's way.
After both teams traded major decisions at 165 and 174, including a 14-6 win by Tiger freshman Jonathan Schleifer at 165, Harner took the mat against 2014 All-America honoree Ophir Bernstein. The last time these two met was in the EIVA consolation round, and Bernstein topped Harner to block his path to the NCAA Championships.
Harner, who had already hit the 20-win mark this season, was aggressive Saturday evening in the rematch. Neither managed a point in the opening period, but Harner scored a takedown in the second to open a 2-1 lead. He chose neutral in the third period and kept the pressure up until he scored a second takedown; he rode Bernstein out to claim the 5-1 victory.
That evened the match score at 13-13 with two to go, and Princeton sent 10th-ranked Abram Ayala to the mat looking for bonus points. Like Harner, he was the consistent aggressor against Sebastian Levin, scoring multiple takedowns as he chased the eight-point advantage. His final one came in the third period to clinch a 12-4 win and critical bonus points. Brown scored the decision at 285, but it wouldn't be enough to overtake the Tigers.
Princeton dug out of an early 6-0 hole with wins from sophomore Jordan Laster and Perez, who wrestled more than anybody on the day. Hours after his overtime takedown of Patrick Hogan earned him a 2-0 win over Harvard, Perez had an escape and takedown in a 6-3 victory over Steven Galiardo.
Perez, Schleifer and Harner were all two-match winners on the day, while senior Ryan Cash (125) and freshmen Jordan Reich (133) and Francesco Fabozzi (157) also earned victories over Harvard.
Princeton will hit the road next weekend with matches at Columbia (Friday, 6) and Rutgers (Saturday, 2). The match at Columbia will be streamed live on the Ivy Digital Network.
PRINCETON 24, HARVARD 9
125 – Ryan Cash (P) wins by forfeit
133 – Jordan Reich (P) dec. Ryan Osleeb 10-3
141 – Todd Preston (H) dec. Jordan Reich 5-0
149 – Chris Perez (P) dec. Patrick Hogan 2-0 (SV-1)
157 – Francesco Fabozzi (P) dec. Colby Knight 11-7
165 – Jonathan Schleifer (P) dec. Devon Gobbo 14-8
174 – Josef Johnson (H) dec. Judd Ziegler 7-6
184 – Brett Harner (P) dec. Josh Popple 7-6
197 – James Fox (H) dec. Abram Ayala 3-2
285 – David Ng (H) dec. Ray O'Donnell 5-2
PRINCETON 17, BROWN 16
125 – Billy Watterson (B) dec. Ryan Cash 2-0
133 – Ezekiel Salvo (B) dec. Jordan Reich 4-0
141 – Jordan Laster (P) dec. Anthony Finocchiaro 11-4
149 – Chris Perez (P) dec. Steven Galiardo 6-3 (SV-1)
157 – Justin Staudenmayer (B) dec. Rich Eva 3-0
165 – Jonathan Schleifer (P) maj. dec. Richard Muniz 14-6
174 – Richard McDonald (B) maj. dec. Judd Ziegler 12-3
184 – Brett Harner (P) dec. Ophir Bernstein 5-1
197 – Abram Ayala (P) maj. dec. Sebastian Levin 12-4
285 – Augustus Marker (B) dec. Ray O'Donnell 3-1