National Duals: Top-Ranked Cornell Defeats Virginia Tech to Win DI Title

At 125 pounds, No. 15 Perrelli was down, 2-1, to No. 11 Jarrod Garnett after the first period. Perrelli started the second down on the mat and nearly had a reversal but settled for an escape to tie the score at 2-2. Garnett started the third down and escaped to take a 3-2 lead, but with 40 seconds left in the match Perrelli had a takedown to go ahead. At the buzzer, Garnett escaped to tie the bout at 4-4. With neither wrestler scoring in sudden victory, Garnett chose to start the tie breaker down on the mat. The Virginia Tech wrestler attempted to roll through looking for an escape, but Perrelli caught him and grabbed two nearfall points. Perrelli chose to start his choice down and with an escape won a 7-5 decision.

At 133 pounds, No. 8 Devin Carter won a 17-6 major decision over Joe Stanzione. With four team points, Virginia Tech took a 4-3 lead.

Manson held a 2-1 lead after the first period at 141 against No. 5 Chris Diaz. Manson started the second down and reversed his opponent, but Diaz would escape. Diaz started the third down and escaped to come within a point. Manson lengthened his lead with a takedown off a scramble. Diaz would escape, but Manson won a 6-4 decision.

No. 2 Dake went into the second period with a 4-0 lead at 149 pounds over No. 9 Brian Stephens with a takedown and two back points. Dake chose down to start the second and immediately sprang to his feet and grabbed another takedown. Stephens chose to start the third at neutral. With a takedown and riding time, Dake won a 10-0 decision.

At 157 pounds, No. 10 DJ Meagher took on No. 5 Jesse Dong. Meagher notched a takedown at time ran out with a low double in the first period. Dong chose down in the second and had a reversal to tie the bout. Meagher chose neutral to start the third. Dong took down Meagher off a scramble and with riding time won a 5-2 decision.

No. 3 Kerber was deadlocked with No. 14 Peter Yates at 3-3 after the first period at 165 pounds. Kerber escaped from his opening down position in the second to take a 4-3 lead. Yates sent the bout into overtime with an opening escape in the third. Kerber won the match in sudden victory with a takedown to give the Big Red a 13-7 lead.

At 174 pounds, No. 3 Lewnes had a 7-1 lead after the first period over Matt Epperly with two takedowns and three backpoints. Lewnes notched six more points off two nearfalls in the second. The Big Red senior captain turned his opponent in the third and won by fall in 6:20.

At 184 pounds, No. 2 Steve Bosak took down No. 16 Thomas Spellman in the first period and rode him out. Bosak chose down in the second and immediately sprang to his feet and twisted out for an escape. Spellman chose down in the third, but was unable to escape until 30 seconds were left in the bout. With 2:23 in riding time, Bosak won a 4-1 decision to secure the team win for the Big Red.

Maciej Jochym faced Chris Penny at 197 pounds. Penny took down Jochym, but the Big Red wrestler escaped. Jochym grabbed a takedown and added three backpoints before Penny escaped. Penny chose to start the second down and escaped. With a takedown, the Virginia Tech wrestler tied the bout, 6-6. Jochym escaped before the period was over to take a 7-6 lead. Jochym was let up from his starting down position in the third and countered a shot by Penny for a takedown. Penny escaped, but Jochym took him down again to win a 12-8 decision.

At heavyweight, Oney Snyder squared off against David Marone. Marone took down Snyder with 12 seconds left in the first period. Marone and Snyder traded escapes from their starting down positions, and Marone won a 3-1 decision.

The Big Red will return to action Jan. 20 when it will travel to Lehigh for a 7 p.m. bout.

Match-By-Match Results
125: No. 15 Frank Perrelli (Cornell) dec. No. 11 Jarrod Garnett (VT), 7-5 TB
133: No. 8 Devin Carter (VT) maj. dec. Joe Stanzione (Cornell), 17-6
141: Corey Manson (Cornell) dec. No. 5 Chris Diaz (VT), 6-4
149: No. 2 Kyle Dake (Cornell) maj. dec. No. 9 Brian Stephens, (VT) 10-0
157: No. 5 Jesse Dong dec. No. 10 DJ Meagher (Cornell), 5-2
165: No. 3 Justin Kerber (Cornell) dec. No. 14 Peter Yates (VT), 6-4
174: No. 3 Mack Lewnes (Cornell) win by fall Matt Epperly (VT), 6:20
184: No. 4 Steve Bosak (Cornell) dec. No. 16 Thomas Spellman (VT), 4-1
197: Maciej Jochyn (Cornell) dec. Chris Penny (VT), 12-8
HWT: David Marone (VT) dec. Oney Snyder (Cornell), 5-1