NEW YORK – Columbia led by nine through the first seven bouts, and hung on to claim an 18-17 win over No. 21 Lehigh on Friday night in Levien Gym. The Lions split the bouts with the Mountain Hawks, winning five and losing five, but benefited from bonus points on a Nick Babin pin to claim the win.
 
Columbia improves to 3-5 overall and 3-1 in EIWA action with the win. The win marks the second time in program history the Lions have defeated the Mountain Hawks in a series that has favored Lehigh, with most of the meetings occurring from 1913 to 1931.
 
"This was a team effort," Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling Zach Tanelli said. "It has been over a century since we have beaten Lehigh. I am really proud of each single guy on this team because each person played a role. We knew it was going to be close. We knew we were going to be in a position to win and we are just grateful to come out on the right side of this (match)."
 
No. 26 Babin (125) put the momentum in Columbia's favor to start the match as he pinned Lehigh's No. 30 Carter Bailey in just over six minutes. Babin now has three falls for the season and is 3-1 in EIWA duals.
 
"When you look at the score, three bonus points right there was the difference," Tanelli said. "It is as big as it gets right there, and Nick has proven that he is a pinner. He has proven that he can win at this level. He is something special. He has proven it to himself every single day."
 
Lehigh answered back at 133 as No. 5 Connor McGonagle defeated No. 26 Angelo Rini in a 6-1 decision.
 
The Lions extended the lead back to six as No. 24 Matt Kazimir earned a 7-3 decision win over No. 28 Malyke Hines at 141. Kazimir stays unblemished in EIWA action as he is now 4-0.
 
Lehigh picked up another bout win at 149 as No. 29 Max Brignola outlasted No. 33 Danny Fongaro in a tight 3-1 decision win.
 
Columbia answered back by winning three-straight bouts to jump out to an 18-6 lead. No. 21 Cesar Alvan got the streak started at 157 in a 5-4 decision win against Paul Watkins. Alvan joins Kazimir with a perfect 4-0 record to start EIWA action.
 
No. 16 Joshua Ogunsanya followed up Alvan's performance with a 4-1 decision win over Luca Frinzi at 165. Ogunsanya improves to 3-1 in EIWA duals. No. 26 Lennox Wolak earned the third bout win in a row for the Lions at 174 with a 5-3 decision over Jake Logan. Wolak secured an impressive takedown to earn the sudden victory, which proved critical to the Columbia team win.
 
The Lions held an 18-6 lead before Lehigh won the last three bouts of the night. No. 18 Tate Samuelson defeated Aaron Ayzerov in a 4-1 decision. No. 3 Michael Beard followed that up with a tech fall win over Jack Wehmeyer. No. 28 Nathan Taylor wrapped up the match with a 12-5 decision win against Billy McChesney.
 
"We just have to continue to do what we have been doing all year," Tanelli said. "That is wrestling hard every minute and every period. We controlled the action the majority of that match. Overall, I am impressed with our guys."
 
RESULTS
 
COLUMBIA 18, NO. 21 LEHIGH 17
New York, N. Y. (Levien Gym)
 
Individual Match Results:
125 – No. 26 Nick Babin (COL) def. No. 30 Carter Bailey (LEH) | Fall, 6:10
133 – No. 5 Connor McGonagle (LEH) def. No. 26 Angelo Rini (COL) | Dec., 6-1
141 – No. 24 Matt Kazimir (COL) def. No. 28 Malyke Hines (LEH) | Dec., 7-3
149 – No. 29 Max Brignola (LEH) def. No. 33 Danny Fongaro (COL) | Dec, 3-1
157 – No. 21 Cesar Alvan (COL) def. Paul Watkins (LEH) | Dec., 5-4
165 – No. 16 Joshua Ogunsanya (COL) def. Luca Frinzi (LEH) | Dec., 4-1
174 – No. 26 Lennox Wolak (COL) def. Jake Logan (LEH) | Dec., 5-3
184 – No. 18 Tate Samuelson (LEH) def. Aaron Ayzerov (COL) | Dec., 4-1
197 – No. 3 Michael Beard (LEH) def. Jack Wehmeyer (COL) | TF, 26-10
HWT – No. 28 Nathan Taylor (LEH) def. Billy McChesney (COL) | Dec., 12-5
 
Cumulative Scoring Results:
125 | COL 6, LEH 0
133 | COL 6, LEH 3
141 | COL 9, LEH 3
149 | COL 9, LEH 6
157 | COL 12, LEH 6
165 | COL 15, LEH 6
174 | COL 18, LEH 6
184 | COL 18, LEH 9
197 | COL 18, LEH 14
HWT | COL 18, LEH 17
 
UP NEXT

The Lions wrap up the home stand on Sunday with a 1 p.m. dual match against No. 5 Cornell at Levien Gym. Admission is free and the match will be streamed on ESPN+. Sunday is alumni day and alumni wrestlers will be recognized during an intermission in the match. The Columbia women's wrestling club team will also be hosting five bouts starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Entry to the women's matches is free and fans will be allowed to remain in the gym until the men's match begins.

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