NEW YORK – Six Columbia wrestlers earned bout wins to help lead the team to a 25-13 victory against Bucknell in front of a crowd full of Columbia wrestling alumni on Sunday afternoon at Levien Gymnasium.
 
The win marks Columbia's first EIWA dual victory of the season as the Lions improve to 2-8 overall in dual matches this season.
 
"It feels so gratifying," Aaron Ayzerov said about having the Columbia wrestling alumni on hand for today's match. "(The alumni) know the work we put in starting from a very young age. They know what it takes to be successful at this. It's awesome putting on a show for them and having them be able to witness what we have become. There's a certain bond that comes through collective suffering and collective hard work. Those guys are my brothers and I am very happy to see them here."
 
20^th-ranked Lennox Wolak kicked things off at 174 with a 5-3 decision win over Myles Takats. Wolak secured a takedown in the second period and fended off Takats down the stretch to earn the win.
 
No. 29 Aaron Ayzerov came to the mat next for the 184 bout and stole all of momentum in Columbia's favor as he pinned Mikey Bartush in 3:22. Ayzerov finished the weekend in style after posting a Top 10 victory over Cornell's 7^th-ranked Chris Foca on Friday.
 
"I'm not really that surprised in myself," Ayzerov said. "I come in every match thinking I am the best wrestler in the country. I really believe I have the best coaching staff to make me individually prepared for every match. I have dudes in the room that are wildly good at wrestling and I think it all shows. This is a summation of all the hard work we put in. It's hard to say I'm surprised because I have been there for every individual hour and minute we put in the room. Hard work pays off."
 
No. 27 Jack Wehmeyer contributed to Columbia's strong start with a 6-3 decision victory against Logan Deacetis in the 197 bout. Columbia jumped out to a 12-0 lead after the first three bouts.
 
Bucknell claimed its first bout victory of the match at 285 as No. 27 Dorian Crosby defeated Adam Haselius in an 18-4 major decision. Nick Babin put the Lions back in control with a dominating 18-0 tech fall victory in the 125 bout against Kade Davidheiser.
 
The Bison won three of the last five bouts, but Columbia battled through to take the 25-13 win. Kai Owen defeated Braden Bower in the 141 bout with a 9-4 decision win. Andrew Garr ended the match in style with a 19-4 tech fall victory over Dylan McCullough in the 165 bout.
 
Columbia has next weekend off before the Lions return to the mat Friday, February 16 against Harvard. That match will be held in the University Gymnasium "Blue Gym" at 3 p.m. The Lions then host Brown on February 18 for a 1 p.m. match in Levien Gym.
 
COLUMBIA 25, BUCKNELL 13
New York, N.Y.
 
Individual Match Results:
174: #20 Lennox Wolak (COL) def. Myles Takats (BUCK) |Dec., 5-3
184: #29 Aaron Ayzerov (COL) def. Mikey Bartush (BUCK) | Fall, 3:22
197: #27 Jack Wehmeyer (COL) def. Logan Deacetis (BUCK) | Dec. 6-3
HWT: #27 Dorian Crosby (BUCK) def. Adam Haselius (COL) | MD, 18-4
125: Nick Babin (COL) def. Kade Davidheiser (BUCK) | TF, 18-0
133: #14 Kurt Phipps (BUCK) def. Sulayman Bah (COL) | Dec., 8-2
141: Kai Owen (COL) def. Braden Bower (BUCK) | Dec., 9-4
149: Riley Bower (BUCK) def. Richard Fedalen (COL) | SV, 4-1
157: Aiden Davis (BUCK) def. Tyler Barrett (COL) | SV, 4-1
165: Andrew Garr (COL) def. Dylan McCullough (BUCK) | TF, 19-4
 
Cumulative Scoring Results:
174 | COL 3, BUCK 0
184 | COL 9, BUCK 0
197 | COL 12, BUCK 0
285 | COL 12, BUCK 4
125 | COL 17, BUCK 4
133 | COL 17, BUCK 7
141 | COL 20, BUCK 7
149 | COL 20, BUCK 10
157 | COL 20, BUCK 13
165 | COL 25, BUCK 13
 
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