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North Dakota State falls to American in home finale 20-16
FARGO, N.D.-- North Dakota State fell to American University 20-16 in college wrestling action at the Bison Sports Arena in front of a crowd of 673 on Monday, February 20.
American (13-6) jumped out to a 4-0 lead when Matt Morkel defeated NDSU's Mike Meger 10-2 in the 125-pound bout. Morkel jumped out to an early 5-0 lead and never looked back. At 133 pounds, sophomore Eric Sanders finished off the dual season as the only Bison wrestler to go undefeated in home dual matches. Sanders took care of Jordan Lipp 8-6. Sanders improved his record to 13-12.
North Dakota State (6-6) grabbed the lead thanks to a forfeit by American at 141 pounds. The Eagles closed the gap in the next match as Gabe Mooney fell short in his quest for win No. 20 for the season, losing to Tom Kniezewski 3-2 at 149 pounds. American regained the lead in an exciting 157-pound match between Chris Stout and NDSU's Andrew Quittschreiber. With the score tied at nine after regulation, the two wrestlers went back and forth with Stout winning in the overtime session with an escape.
In a battle of freshmen, Rudy Rueda defeated Zach Molitor 8-1 at 165 pounds. The excitement continued at 174 pounds with junior Matt Hermann defeating Dwayne Hash-Barberis in the second overtime session. Hermann escaped the grasp of Hash-Barberis with 26 seconds remaning to seal the deal and closing the gap to 13-12.
North Dakota State's Matt Wetterling took on top-ranked Josh Glenn at 184 pounds. Wetterling jumped out to a 3-2 lead minutes into the bout but Glenn responded with a reversal and a near fall to regain the lead at the end of one period. Glenn went on to get four points for his team by defeating Wetterling 13-3 and gave the Eagles a 17-12 lead.
Jacob Bryce responded with four points of his own when he defeated Tyler Flatt 15-5 at 197 pounds. Bryce improved his record to 18-9 on the year.
With the Bison trailing 17-16, it came down to NDSU heavyweight Mike Maresh and 10th-ranked Adam LoPiccolo. After no scoring through two periods, LoPiccolo escaped Maresh's grasp five seconds into the third giving him the 1-0 advantage. After a stalling point was awarded to Maresh, LoPiccolo quickly regained the lead with a takedown and won 4-1 thanks to the one point time advantage.
North Dakota State has completed their scheduled meets. This was the last year of reclassification for the Bison and they will be eligible to compete at the Division I Championships beginning next year.
February 20, 2006 at Fargo, ND
American 20, North Dakota State 16
125: Matt Morkel (AU) maj. dec. Mike Meger 10-2
133: Eric Sanders (NDSU) dec. Jordan Lipp 8-6
141: David Cunningham (NDSU) wins via forfeit
149: Tom Kniezewski (AU) dec. Gabe Mooney 3-2
157: Chris Stout (AU) dec. Andrew Quittschreiber 10-9 (OT)
165: Rudy Rueda (AU) dec. Zach Molitor 8-1
174: Matt Hermann (NDSU) dec. Dwayne Hash-Barberis 5-4 (2 OT)
184: Josh Glenn (AU) maj. dec. Matt Wetterling 13-3
197: Jacob Bryce (NDSU) maj. dec. Tyler Flatt 15-5
Hwt: Adam LoPiccolo (AU) dec. Mike Maresh 4-1