COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Columbia Wrestling (4-9, 4-5 EIWA, 2-3 IVY) locked up three wins via major decision, but the bonus points were not enough to secure the dual win, as the Lions fell at Maryland (5-12, 0-8 BIG10) 22-15, in a Friday night meeting at the Xfinity Center Pavilion.
The Lions got wins via major decision from No. 31
Joe Manchio (125),
Danny Fongaro (149) and No. 19
Joshua Ogunsanya (165) and added a win via decision from
Nick Fine (174), but losses in the final three bouts cost the Lions at the end, despite their solid collection of bonus points through the dual.
Manchio, Fongaro and Fine's wins gives the three Lions each a winning streak of three-straight, while Ogunsanya's win gives him two in a row, and he now has five wins in his last six bouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Manchio opened the dual with a solid win via major decision over Zach Spence, 14-4. For the Lion 125-pounder, it was his first win via major decision on the season and improves his record to 12-8. The Lions held an early 4-0 lead, but the next two bouts fell Maryland's way, as No. 23
Angelo Rini lost via fall to King Sandoval at 133 pounds and No. 20
Matt Kazimir drop his dual via decision to Danny Bertoni.
The two losses, following Manchio's opening victory, put Columbia behind 9-4 after three bouts. But at 149 pounds the Lions would get right back into the thick of things.
Fongaro (15-10) went out against Michael North and worked a 16-5 major decision to give the Lions a key collection of bonus points, pulling the Lions within 9-8. The next bout proved to be key in the Lions staying in the dual as
Andrew Garr fought off Lucas Cordio at 157 pounds, staying away from giving up bonus points despite dropping the bout, falling only via decision, 10-8, keeping Maryland within arm's length with the score at 12-8.
At 165 pounds, Ogunsanya continued his strong season, improving to 16-5, with another major decision for the Lions. His 13-3 major over Gaven Bell knotted up the dual score at 12-12 and set up a showdown over the final four bouts.
Looking to make it back-to-back, Fine got himself an 8-6 decision over Dom Solis, improving the Lion 174-pounder's record to 19-11 and putting the Lions in the lead at 15-12.
Unfortunately for the Lions, the next three bouts fell Maryland's way, which would eventually lead to the Terrapins taking the dual. The first loss came at 184 pounds as
Brian Bonino fell via major decision, 12-4, to No. 10 Kyle Cochran, while at 197 pounds
Sam Wustefeld battled to the end, and kept Maryland from collecting bonus points, but fell in the end via decision, 9-5, to No. 29 Jaron Smith.
At 285 pounds the dual was decided, when
Danny Conley fell via decision, 6-0, to Zach Schrader. The win at 285 pounds finished off the dual and gave Maryland the 22-15 win.
MARYLAND 22, COLUMBIA 15
College Park, Md. (Xfinity Center Pavilion)
125 | No. 31
Joe Manchio (COL) def. Zach Spence (MARY) maj. 14-4
133 | King Sandoval (MARY) def. No. 23
Angelo Rini (COL) fall (0:31)
141 | Danny Bertoni (MARY) def. No. 20
Matt Kazimir (COL) dec. 7-1
149 |
Danny Fongaro (COL) def. Michael North (MARY) maj. 16-5
157 | Lucas Cordio (MARY) def.
Andrew Garr (COL) dec. 10-8
165 | No. 19
Joshua Ogunsanya (COL) def. Gaven Bell (MARY) maj. 13-3
174 |
Nick Fine (COL) def. Dom Solis (MARY) dec. 8-6
184 | No. 10 Kyle Cochran (MARY) def.
Brian Bonino (COL) maj. 12-4
197 | No. 29 Jaron Smith (MARY) def.
Sam Wustefeld (COL) dec. 9-5
285 | Zach Schrader (MARY) def.
Danny Conley (COL) dec. 6-0
NEXT UP: Columbia finishes the 2021-22 regular season with its final dual as the Lions head back to the tri-state area with a visit to No. 14 Rutgers on Saturday, Feb. 19 with that dual set to get going at 5 p.m. Columbia will then get a weekend break before heading to Ithaca, New York for the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships set to run from Mar. 5-6.
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).
