Wolf, Cruz represent Lehigh wrestling at NWCA All-Star Classic
11/5/2017 5:43:00 PM | Men's Wrestling
PRINCETON, N.J. – Six-point moves in the second period proved to be the difference in both matches involving Lehigh wrestlers at the 52nd NWCA All-Star Classic, hosted by Wrestlers in Business Network and sponsored by Princeton Brain and Spine and Northwestern Mutual Life, Sunday at Princeton's Jadwin Gym.
Junior Gordon Wolf trailed 8-5 against Penn's May Bethea in the second period of one of the showcase bouts when he picked up a takedown and two-point near fall to go up 11-8 after two and went on to post a 17-9 major decision victory.
Senior Darian Cruz was on the short end of a six-pointer as the defending NCAA champion at 125 conceded a reversal and four point near fall in his main-card matchup with Oklahoma State's Nick Piccininni. Cruz was unable to recover as he fell by an 8-5 decision.
Bouts in the NWCA All-Star Classic are exhibitions and do not count against a wrestler's season record.
(11/5/2017) 2017 NWCA All-Star Classic
Wrestling not far from his Lawrenceville home, Wolf fell into an early 6-3 hole against Bethea, who scored three first period takedowns. Wolf sandwiched a pair of second period escapes around a fourth Bethea takedown before hitting his six-point move. Wolf added two more takedowns in the third period plus a two point near fall to complete the 17-9 major.
Cruz started well against Piccininni, scoring the opening takedown and taking a 2-1 lead into the second period. The match turned in the second period as Piccininni reversed Cruz in a scramble and tacked on four back points to take a 7-2 lead. Cruz began the third period on bottom and picked up a reversal of his own, but after a Piccininni escape could only muster a penalty point for stalling to account for the 8-5 final. Cruz entered the exhibition bout ranked second in most polls, while Picininni was rated fourth.
Lehigh wrestlers now own a 17-16 record in the NWCA All-Star Classic, counting main card bouts only.
The Mountain Hawks will open the 2017-18 season with a visit to EIWA rival Bucknell on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. After a trip to the Journeymen Collegiate Classic on Nov. 12. Lehigh will open its home schedule with duals against Edinboro (Nov. 17) and Michigan (Nov. 19) inside Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall.
52nd NWCA All-Star Classic
165 showcase – Gordon Wolf (Lehigh) major dec. May Bethea (Penn) 17-9
125 – Nick Piccininni (Okla St.) dec. Darian Cruz (Lehigh) 8-5
Like Lehigh Wrestling on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Junior Gordon Wolf trailed 8-5 against Penn's May Bethea in the second period of one of the showcase bouts when he picked up a takedown and two-point near fall to go up 11-8 after two and went on to post a 17-9 major decision victory.
Senior Darian Cruz was on the short end of a six-pointer as the defending NCAA champion at 125 conceded a reversal and four point near fall in his main-card matchup with Oklahoma State's Nick Piccininni. Cruz was unable to recover as he fell by an 8-5 decision.
Bouts in the NWCA All-Star Classic are exhibitions and do not count against a wrestler's season record.
Wrestling not far from his Lawrenceville home, Wolf fell into an early 6-3 hole against Bethea, who scored three first period takedowns. Wolf sandwiched a pair of second period escapes around a fourth Bethea takedown before hitting his six-point move. Wolf added two more takedowns in the third period plus a two point near fall to complete the 17-9 major.
Cruz started well against Piccininni, scoring the opening takedown and taking a 2-1 lead into the second period. The match turned in the second period as Piccininni reversed Cruz in a scramble and tacked on four back points to take a 7-2 lead. Cruz began the third period on bottom and picked up a reversal of his own, but after a Piccininni escape could only muster a penalty point for stalling to account for the 8-5 final. Cruz entered the exhibition bout ranked second in most polls, while Picininni was rated fourth.
Lehigh wrestlers now own a 17-16 record in the NWCA All-Star Classic, counting main card bouts only.
The Mountain Hawks will open the 2017-18 season with a visit to EIWA rival Bucknell on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. After a trip to the Journeymen Collegiate Classic on Nov. 12. Lehigh will open its home schedule with duals against Edinboro (Nov. 17) and Michigan (Nov. 19) inside Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall.
52nd NWCA All-Star Classic
165 showcase – Gordon Wolf (Lehigh) major dec. May Bethea (Penn) 17-9
125 – Nick Piccininni (Okla St.) dec. Darian Cruz (Lehigh) 8-5
Like Lehigh Wrestling on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Players Mentioned
125
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