Lehigh University
Rider
Letters nabs 100th win as No. 8 Lehigh tops Rider
11/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Wrestling
“We lacked a pop early on, probably because we really worked the guys hard in practice earlier this week,” said Strobel. “We were able to pick things up a little, and
The match started at 125 pounds, where sophomore Patrick Berger scored the first takedown, but Rider’s Ryan Smith came back to even the match and was able to pin Berger in the second period. The Broncs’ lead grew to 9-0 when Zack Cunliffe amassed over four minutes of riding time in a 5-0 blanking of Lehigh’s John Stout.
The Mountain Hawks got on the scoreboard with back to back major decisions by Cory Cooperman at 141 and Matt Ciasulli in his first dual at 149. Senior Derek Zinck won by forfeit at 157 to put Lehigh ahead and then Letters took center stage.
Letters collected wins number 98 and 99 over the weekend at the Slippery Rock Open, where he forfeited his remaining matches to give himself the opportunity to crack the century mark in front of the home fans. The Shaler native and 2004 national champion did just that, building a 10-1 lead before pinning Ryan Cunningham in the second period. Letters improves to 100-4 in his career and becomes the 11th member of the 100 win club at Lehigh.
“I really wanted to do it here at Grace,” Letters acknowledged afterwards. “The fans here have supported me for so long they’ve almost become like family. I got my first career win in the old Grace, and I wanted number 100 here as well”
The Mountain Hawks picked up wins by decision at 174 and 184 with Travis Frick edging Doug Umbehauer and then Dave Helfrich with a six point win over Joe Maroney. The Broncs would take the final two bouts as T.J. Morrison topped Matt Cassidy and then Tyler Rees used a third period escape to top Dan Murrer, who gave up nearly 90 pounds to his counterpart.
Lehigh returns to action on Sunday when the Mountain Hawks head to
Weight | Match-up | Result | Score | |
125 | Ryan Smith (RU) | WBF | Patrick Berger (LU) | 4:24 |
133 | Zack Cunliffe (RU) | Dec. | John Stout (LU) | 5-0 |
141 | Cory Cooperman (LU) | Maj. dec. | Tim McGoldrick (RU) | 14-3 |
149 | Matt Ciasulli (LU) | Maj. dec. | Michael Kessler (RU) | 8-0 |
157 | Derek Zinck (LU) | WB | Forfeit | |
165 | Troy Letters (LU) | WBF | Ryan Cunningham (RU) | 4:09 |
174 | Dec. | Doug Umbehauer (RU) | 5-4 | |
184 | Dave Helfrich (LU) | Dec. | Joe Maroney (RU) | 10-4 |
197 | T.J. Morrison (RU) | Dec. | Matt Cassidy (LU) | 6-1 |
285 | Tyler Rees (RU) | Dec. | Dan Murrer (LU) | 3-2 |
Attendance – 1,827 Referee – Jake Llewellyn
Photo © 2005, Lehigh Athletics/Jeff Nolan
