West Virginia 37 Ohio 9

WVU Wrestling Blasts Ohio , 37-9

            MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (February 14, 2009) – Behind fall victories from fifth-year seniors Kyle Turnbull (125) and Dustin Rogers (HWT), redshirt-junior Donnie Jones (165) and redshirt-sophomore Matt Ryan (197), the West Virginia University wrestling team blasted non-conference foe Ohio, 37-9, on Saturday evening at the WVU Coliseum. The Mountaineers improve to a 7-4-1 overall mark this season, while the Bobcats drop to 8-8-1.

            Turnbull started the match off by earning WVU six quick points. After falling behind 2-0 to Tim Silvers, Turnbull earned an escape and then rattled off eight straight points (one takedown and two three-point near falls). After getting Silvers on his back for the third time, the Morgantown , W.Va. , native was finally able to seal the win with his first fall victory of the season.

            "It helps tremendously and that's what we've needed for years,” Coach Craig Turnbull said of Kyle’s win at 125 pounds. “You need balance in your lineup. To always be coming out of the hole is a lot of stress, where if they have stronger guys in there it makes it very hard to win dual meets. Getting some wins at those first three weights is critical to us and that was very helpful. It would be nice to have him healthy all year and get that opportunity to have the benefit of all that seasoning."

            Freshman Colin Johnston (141) increased the Mountaineers’ lead by registering an 11-0 major decision, the second major of his collegiate career. The Eighty Four, Pa., native recorded a takedown early in the first period and added three near fall points to lead 5-0 heading into the second session. Johnston mirrored his first-period performance in the second session, again posting a takedown and three more near fall points. He was able to tack on 3:38 in riding time, 2:05 of which came in the first period, for the extra point.

            Next on the slate was veteran David Jauregui’s match against Seth Morton at 149 pounds. Although the fifth-year senior, who is ranked No. 19 nationally, led 1-0 heading into the third period, all the excitement took place in the final session. After Morton scored an escape point to tie the bout at one apiece, the two battled without either one scoring until the final minute when Jauregui registered his 34th takedown of the season to earn the 3-1 decision. Jauregui holds a 10-2 overall mark and is 10-1 in dual matches this year.

            WVU earned its next six points two bouts later at 165 pounds. Jones put on a scoring clinic in the first period, registering two takedowns and one three-point near fall to lead 7-1 heading into the second session. After choosing neutral to start, Jones notched his third takedown of the match before pinning Steve Wilson at the 4:18 mark, giving WVU the 19-6 lead in the team score.

            Fifth-year senior Kurt Brenner’s match also ended early at 174 pounds. The No. 11-ranked wrestler recorded two quick takedowns to go up 4-1, but Jacob Ison left the match after injuring his left leg, giving Brenner the win by injury default. The Freedom, Pa. , native now holds a 14-4 overall mark this season.

            After freshman Lance Bryson dropped a hard-fought match at 184 pounds in which he acted as the aggressor for nearly the entire match, redshirt-sophomore Matt Ryan recorded another win for WVU. Wrestling in only his second match of the season in the Old Gold and Blue, Ryan earned a takedown toward the beginning of the first period and then added two near fall points to his total before earning his first victory by fall as a Mountaineer at the 1:34 mark – the quickest fall victory by a WVU wrestler this season. It is also Ryan’s victory of the season.

            Rogers closed the door on the Bobcats by pinning Justin Powell at the 4:42 mark. Rogers recorded his 29th takedown of the season in the first period and tacked on an escape point in the second period before getting the fall victory – his team-leading fifth of the season.

            "The team is getting better. One thing to recognize is we started with some very good competition,” Turnbull added. “As the year has gone on, they have gotten better. They are good young guys. They work hard in practice. They have become more confident in a match setting and I think it feels good. They have learned when they battle hard, they have a good opportunity to compete and compete for a win. I think that bodes well for our future. I feel good about the direction we are heading in."

            The Mountaineers return to action on Friday, Feb. 20, against Eastern Wrestling League opponent Cleveland State . The contest, which will start at 8 p.m. in the WVU Coliseum, has been selected as “Dollar Day” – meaning all tickets and select concessions will be just one dollar apiece.

-IG-

For More Information, Contact:

Ira Green, (304) 293-2821

Ira.Green@mail.wvu.edu

WVU 37, Ohio 9

125: Kyle Turnbull (WVU) FALL Tim Silvers ( OHIO ), 2:51

133: Quentin Keyes ( OHIO ) DEC Tyler Oravec (WVU), 7-4

141: Colin Johnston (WVU) MAJOR Darrin Boing ( OHIO ), 11-0

149: #19 David Jauregui (WVU) DEC Seth Morton ( OHIO ), 3-1

157: Clay Tucker ( OHIO ) DEC Ryan Goodman (WVU), 7-1

165: Donnie Jones (WVU) FALL Steve Wilson ( OHIO ), 4:18

174: #11 Kurt Brenner (WVU) INJ. DEF. Jacob Ison ( OHIO ), 2:35

184: Erik Schuth ( OHIO ) DEC Lance Bryson (WVU), 3-1

197: Matt Ryan (WVU) FALL Chris Iammarino ( OHIO ), 1:34

HWT: #18 Dustin Rogers (WVU) FALL Justin Powell ( OHIO ), 4:42