#8 North Carolina Downs #17 Cornell, 21-13, in Big Red Home Finale
February 17, 2020

 


ITHACA, N.Y. - Cornell wrestling was defeated in its home finale on Sunday, Feb. 16, losing to #8 North Carolina by a final score of 21-13. It was a packed house inside Newman Arena on Sunday as the Big Red teamed up with Cornell gymnastics to host Tumble and Rumble, featuring simultaneous action between the two programs.

In addition to the dual, Cornell wrestling entered three inductees into the Hall of Distinguished Wrestling Alumni. Inducted were Carl Keske, Jamie Moffatt and Bob Whalen, for their significant contributions to the betterment of the sport both on and off the mat.

Following the loss, Cornell falls to 10-7 on the season, while North Carolina improves to 13-2 in dual meets. Cornell is set to wrap up its dual season next weekend when it visits Lock Haven University in Lock Haven, Pa.

The Tar Heels earned four straight wins to open Sunday's dual, taking a 12-0 lead over the Big Red as the intermission neared. Hunter Richard turned in a good effort against #3 Austin O'Connor, but couldn't get to his offense and lost, 10-3. Adam Santoro continued to test top-tier opponents at 157 pounds, coming close to victory against #11 A.C. Headlee, but falling by decision, 9-7.

Chris Schoenherr returned to the lineup for Cornell after a dominant showing against Binghamton on Saturday, but couldn't capture the same magic in an 8-4 loss to Sawyer Davidson. At 174 pounds, Andrew Berreyesa was unable to get anything going against Clay Lautt, losing 6-0.

Cornell's first victory of the day came at 184 pounds, where Jonathan Loew bounced back following a loss on Saturday to score a major decision over Joey Mazzara. Loew trailed, 2-1, after the first period, but took Mazzara for a ride in the second period to pick up four near-fall points. In the third, Loew continued his dominance in the bout, adding two more takedowns and finishing with over three minutes of riding time.

#3 Ben Darmstadt was knocked off at 197 pounds, losing a tough one to Brandon Whitman, 6-2, following a long intermission. Brendan Furman got the crowd re-energized at heavyweight however, taking down Andrew Gunning in sudden victory to win, 3-1. Gunning was hit for stalling in the third period to tie the bout at 1-1, but it was Furman who converted the only takedown of the match.

A tightly contested bout at 125 pounds saw Dom LaJoie take a 1-0 lead into the final frame, but it was Joey Melendez that came away on top. Melendez pinned LaJoie late into the match (6:39) to secure the dual victory for North Carolina.

Cornell took the final two weights of the day, picking up close wins at 133 and 141 pounds. #5 Chas Tucker remained unblemished with a 4-1 win over Jaime Hernandez. With the match tied at 1-1, Tucker converted his double leg with a minute to go before riding out Hernandez to add a point for riding time. Noah Baughman earned the biggest win of the day for Cornell, upsetting #12 Zach Sherman in the 141-pound bout. A Baughman escape with 1:20 left to wrestle sent the match into sudden victory. In sudden victory, Baughman converted on a shot as time expired to earn the win. As the wrestlers were scrambling, Sherman briefly released his grip of Baughman's leg, which allowed the takedown to be awarded.

#17 Cornell Big Red (10-7, 5-2 EIWA) vs. #8 North Carolina (13-2, 3-1 ACC)
Feb. 16, 2020 // Newman Arena // Ithaca, N.Y.
Final: UNC wins, 21-13

149: #3 Austin O'Connor (UNC) dec. Hunter Richard (COR), 10-3; UNC leads, 3-0
157: #11 A.C. Headlee (UNC) dec. Adam Santoro (COR), 9-7; UNC leads, 6-0
165: Sawyer Davidson (UNC) dec. Chris Schoenherr (COR), 8-4; UNC leads, 9-0
174: Clay Lautt (UNC) dec. Andrew Berreyesa (COR), 6-0; UNC leads, 12-0
184: Jonathan Loew (COR) major dec. Joey Mazzara (UNC), 12-3; UNC leads, 12-4
197: Brandon Whitman (UNC) dec. #3 Ben Darmstadt (COR), 6-2; UNC leads, 15-4
285: Brendan Furman (COR) dec. Andrew Gunning (UNC) 3-1 (SV-1); UNC leads, 15-7
125: Joey Melendez (UNC) over Dom LaJoie (COR), Fall (6:39); UNC leads, 21-7
133: #5 Chas Tucker (COR) dec. Jaime Hernandez (UNC), 4-1; UNC leads, 21-10
141: Noah Baughman (COR) dec. #12 Zach Sherman (UNC), 3-1; UNC wins, 21-13





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