ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell senior Jacob Cardenas earned one of the biggest victories of his career, and several other wrestlers turned in gutsy efforts to lift the No. 14 Big Red wrestling team to a signature victory over No. 2 Missouri at Newman Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The Big Red (7-3) won six matches, all against ranked opponents, en route to a 20-16 win over the Tigers (8-1), who suffered their first dual loss this season. Cornell matched its highest-ranked win in program history and earned its highest-ranked victory in a home dual. The Big Red's last win over the No. 2 team in the country came against Iowa State at the National Duals in January 2009. Mike Grey, The David Dunlop '59 Head Coach of Wrestling, was the winner at 133 pounds in that dual.
No. 8 Cardenas (197 pounds) sealed the victory for Big Red with a 4-0 win over No. 3 Rocky Elam, a three-time NCAA All-American. Elam is the second-highest-ranked opponent Cardenas has beaten during his career.
"Everyone showed up," Grey said after the win. "Facing the No. 2 team in the country, it's going to be a really challenging event. Our guys were ready and prepared mentally and physically. They did a heck of a job. Really proud of their fight. Everyone was gritty."
After falling behind 6-0, Cornell rallied behind resilient performances from No. 2 Vito Arujau (133 pounds) and No. 13 Vince Cornella (141 pounds). Arujau trailed No. 27 Kade Moore 8-3 in the third period before recording two consecutive takedowns and riding the match out for the 10-9 decision. In the next match, Cornella held on for a 9-6 victory over No. 23 Joshua Edmond after an injury stoppage in the third period.
At 149 pounds, No. 28 Ethan Fernandez beat Zeke Seltzer by decision. Freshman Meyer Shapiro, ranked No. 12 at 157 pounds, followed with arguably his best performance of the season, a 13-4 victory over three-time All-American Brock Mauller, who came into the dual ranked No. 5.
Missouri responded after the intermission, tying the team score at 13 with victories from No. 1 Keegan O'Toole (165) and No. 6 Peyton Mocco (174). No. 9 Chris Foca (184 pounds) took down No. 11 Clayton Whiting by major decision to put Cornell ahead 17-13, and Cardenas finished it for Cornell from there.
Cornell Notes and Highlights
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The Big Red won its third straight dual and improved to 7-3 overall.
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Cornell won its second straight dual against Missouri.
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Cornell is 71-12 in its last 83 home duals dating back to the 2009-10 season.
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Arujau (5-0), Foca (9-0) and Shapiro (9-0) stayed unbeaten in duals this season.
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Arujau, 82-8 during his career, ranks 10th in Cornell history in winning percentage (.911).
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Shapiro has won nine matches in a row, while Foca has won eight straight since the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite. Both lost twice at that event.
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Shapiro picked up his highest-ranked win and his third against a wrestler ranked in the top 10 at 157.
Match-by-Match Results (rankings from InterMat)
125: No. 7 Noah Surtin def. No. 133 Brett Ungar by fall
133: No. 2 Vito Arujau def. No. 27 Kade Moore 10-9 by decision
141: No. 13 Vince Cornella def. No. 23 Joshua Edmond 9-6 by decision
149: No. 28 Ethan Fernandez def. Zeke Seltzer 4-0 by decision
157: No. 12 Meyer Shapiro def. No. 5 Brock Mauller 13-4 by major decision
165: No. 1 Keegan O'Toole def. No. 2 Julian Ramirez 13-5 by major decision
174: No. 6 Peyton Mocco def. Evan Canoyer 8-2 by decision
184: No. 9 Chris Foca def. No. 11 Clayton Whiting 14-1 by major decision
197: No. 8 Jacob Cardenas def. No. 3 Rocky Elam 4-0 by decision
285: No. 6 Zach Elam def. No. 18 Lewis Fernandes 2-1 by decision
Up Next
Cornell hosts Columbia next Friday, Feb. 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the Friedman Wrestling Center.
