ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Nick Babin, Kai Owen, Lennox Wolak, Aaron Ayzerov and Jack Wehmeyer earned wins Sunday afternoon in the Battle on the Boardwalk, but Columbia came up short to No. 23 West Virginia, 22-21. Columbia moves to 1-4 in dual matches this season.
 
Babin opened the dual in an explosive way as he pinned Jace Schafer with just seconds remaining in the second period of the 125 bout. The Mountains responded as Jett Strickenberger pinned Yanni Vines in the 133 bout to even the dual, 6-6.
 
Owen battled to defeat Sam Hillegas in the 141 bout to put the Lions back in front. Owen scored six unanswered points after trailing, 7-0 to start the bout. A takedown in the third period pulled Owen within one point and he got another takedown with under a minute remaining and used riding time to take a 10-8 decision over Hillegas.
 
West Virginia posted wins in the next three bouts to take a 17-9 lead heading into the 174 bout. Richard Fedalen (149) was defeated in a major decision, Jaden Le (157) lost via decision and Andrew Garr (165) dropped a major decision.
 
No. 24 Wolak swung the momentum back in Columbia's favor as he secured a dominating 23-7 tech fall victory against Jack Blumer in the 174 bout. Ayzerov followed that up with a 12-2 major decision win over No. 27 Dennis Robin at 184 to put the Lions back in front. No. 28 Wehmeyer then held on to post a 4-3 decision win against Austin Cooley in the 197 bout.
 
"The way I've been looking at it all year, I get to do this, I don't have to this, so every match is an opportunity to showcase all the hard work we've put in," Ayzerov said. "That stage out there today was awesome to wrestle on, and I truly believe the brighter the lights the more fun I get to have competing. If you look closely, you can see me smiling and cracking jokes even seconds before my matches. Everyone's too serious. I like to keep wrestling fun."
 
Columbia held a 21-17 advantage heading into the final bout of the afternoon as Billy McChesney face Michael Wolfgram. Wolfgram took control early with a takedown and was able to maintain control through the rest of the bout to finish off a 15-0 tech fall win that propelled the Mountaineers to the 22-21 victory.
 
RESULTS
COLUMBIA 21, No. 23 WEST VIRGINIA 22
Atlantic City, N.J. (Hard Rock Casino)
 
Individual Match Results:
125: Nick Babin (COL) def. Jace Schafer (WVU) | Fall, 4:56
133: Jett Strickenberger (WVU) def. Yanni Vines (COL) | Fall, 4:46
141: Kai Owen (COL) def. Sam Hillegas (WVU) | Dec., 10-8
149: #11 Ty Watters (WVU) def. Richard Fedalen (COL) | MD, 10-1
157: Alex Hornfeck (WVU) def. Jaden Le (COL) | Dec., 8-4
165: #12 Peyton Hall (WVU) def. Andrew Garr (COL) | MD, 17-3
174: #24 Lennox Wolak (COL) def. Jack Blumer (WVU) | TF, 23-7
184: Aaron Ayzerov (COL) def. #27 Dennis Robin (WVU) | MD, 12-2
197: #28 Jack Wehmeyer (COL) def. Austin Cooley (WVU) | Dec., 4-3
HWT: Michael Wolfgram (WVU) def. Billy McChesney (COL) | TF, 15-0
 
Cumulative Scoring Results:
125 | COL 6, WVU 0
133 | COL 6, WVU 6
141 | COL 9, WVU 6
149 | WVU 10, COL 9
157 | WVU 13, COL 9
165 | WVU 17, COL 9
174 | WVU 17, COL 14
184 | COL 18, WVU 17
197 | COL 21, WVU 17
HVY | WVU 22, COL 21
 
UP NEXT
The Lions are back in action next weekend on January 14 at Army. The dual is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. in West Point, New York.
 
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