NEW YORK — In one of the more dominating performances in recent history, Columbia Wrestling (1-1, 1-0 EIWA) absolutely dismantled LIU (0-6, 0-3 EIWA) from start to finish, collecting a 46-0 win, that saw all 10 Lions collect wins, including five via fall, in Columbia's Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association opener on Schiller Court at Levien Gym.
It was Columbia's biggest margin of victory and first shutout since 2018, and the five wins via fall are the most in a match since Columbia recorded six in a 53-3 win over Wagner in 2006.
"The guys did what they are supposed to do," said Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling
Zach Tanelli. "They are a strong team, but a team we know we are better then. As a staff we felt that the guys went out and executed their game plan to perfection, and we were able to get turns and pins on our way to the win.
"We are always looking to get better, and even in that match there were things we could have done better. We did well today, but we know that we're going to have tougher tests ahead and we must be able to answer those calls. I think that we did a good job today of not letting people stick around in matches and really just shutting the door when we needed to."
Wins came from
Danny Fongaro (149);
Andrew Garr (157); No. 22
Joshua Ogunsanya (165);
Nick Fine (174);
Brian Bonino (184);
Michael Baker (197);
Danny Conley (285); No. 19
Joe Manchio (125);
Angelo Rini (133) and No. 14
Matt Kazimir (141).
Among those wins were the five via fall, which came from Ogunsanya (2:37); Fine (4:11), Bonino (4:45); Baker (2:42) and Rini (3:17). Four of those came consecutively, between weights 165-197, giving Columbia the most consecutive wins via fall in a match since at least the 2005-06 season.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The match began at 149 pounds, and Fongaro set the tone right from the start for Columbia, taking a quick 6-1 lead, thanks to a pair of takedowns and a near fall after the first period. He would go on to record eight more points on his way to a technical fall win over LIU's Drew Witham and it gave the Lions a quick 4-0 lead in the match.
The Lions continued to roll at 157 pounds, as Garr's second period, which saw him score an escape followed by a pair of two-point near falls, helped him collect an 8-2 win via decision over James Johnston and after the first two opening matches Columbia held a solid 7-0 lead.
It was at 165 pounds where the pin party began, and it was Ogunsanya who got it started, sticking Blake Bahna at 2:37, ending the match before the first period concluded. Before sticking Bahna, Ogunsanya was scoring at will, having already collected a 14-2 lead over the first 2:30 of the period and his win pushed Columbia's lead to 13-0.
Following up Ogunsanya's performance was Fine at 174 pounds, who stuck Ryan Ferro midway through the second period at 4:11 to give the Lions their second-straight win via fall, and it put the team score at 19-0. Right behind Fine was Boninio at 184 pounds, who was in dominating form, sitting at 13-0 before finishing off Gavin Claro with a pin near the end of the second period at 4:45.
"Coach told us we should go out and dominate and execute our game plan, and that's what we did as a team," said Bonino. "I feel as though anytime you can put performances together it helps to keep things rolling and we did that today. It felt great to get out there and to see how the team performed."
Rounding out Columbia's four-straight matches with a win via fall was Baker at 197 pounds, who, much like his teammates, was dominating the match before sticking LIU's Karl Bouyer. Taking a page from Ogunsanya's book, Baker did not let the match get out of the first period, sticking Bouyer at 2:42, giving Columbia a commanding 31-0 lead after six matches.
At 285 pounds, Conley battled to a 2-0 win via decision over Timothy Nagosky, and at 125 pounds Manchio held off a late charging Robert Sagaris to collect a 3-2 win via decision.
Manchio got his win via the riding time, and his and Conley's win put the score at 37-0.
In the final win for the Lions via fall, Rini, at 133 pounds, put on a takedown clinic, taking down and cutting LIU's Bryce Cocknell throughout the entire first period and at the end of three minutes Rini held a 10-4 lead. But quickly into the second period, Rini, who started the period on top, broke down Cocknell and at 3:17 earned the win via fall.
Kazimir wrapped up Columbia's full sweep of LIU at 141 pounds, with a calm and controlling 4-0 win via decision over Devin Matthews. The win from Kazimir put a bow on the match for the Lions and it locked up the 46-0 EIWA opening win for "The Nation's Oldest Program".
COLUMBIA 46, LIU 0
New York, N.Y. (Schiller Court at Levien Gym)
149 |
Danny Fongaro (Columbia) def. Drew Witham (LIU) maj. 14-2
157 |
Andrew Garr (Columbia) def. James Johnston (LIU) dec. 8-2
165 | No. 22
Joshua Ogunsanya (Columbia) def. Blake Bahna (LIU) fall (2:37)
174 |
Nick Fine (Columbia) def. Ryan Ferro (LIU) fall (4:11)
184 |
Brian Bonino (Columbia) def. Gavin Claro (LIU) fall (4:45)
197 |
Michael Baker (Columbia) def. Karl Bouyer (LIU) fall (2:42)
285 |
Danny Conley (Columbia) def. Timothy Nagosky (LIU) dec. 2-0
125 | No. 19
Joe Manchio (Columbia) def. Robert Sagaris (LIU) dec. 3-2
133 |
Angelo Rini (Columbia) def. Bryce Cocknell (LIU) fall (3:17)
141 | No. 14
Matt Kazimir (Columbia) def. Devin Matthews (LIU) dec. 4-0
EXHIBITION MATCHES
125 |
Nick Babin (Columbia) def. Kaelan Francois (LIU) TF 15-0
157 |
Andrew Garr (Columbia) def. Rhise Royster (LIU) dec. 3-1
184 |
Jack McGill (Columbia) def. Anthony Franden (LIU) dec. 11-4
285 |
Jalen Stephens (Columbia) def. Aeden Begue (LIU) dec. 4-0
VENUE POLICIES: Due to the substantial increase in the number of COVID-19 cases being reported in New York City, New York State, and the Columbia University campus community, Columbia University is implementing a temporary no-spectator attendance policy for its home athletics events through January 18. This policy is effective immediately.
NEXT UP: Columbia next hits the road for a busy and challenge weekend, as they begin at No. 14 Lehigh on Friday, Jan. 14, before heading to Morgantown, West Virginia for a tri-meet on Sunday, Jan. 16, where they will meet No. 4 Oklahoma State and hosting West Virginia. Columbia's match at Lehigh will be streamed on Flowrestling.com, while Columbia's visit to Morgantown will be covered on ESPN+.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS: Stay up to date on all things Columbia Wrestling by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsWR), Instagram (@culionswr) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
