Philadelphia - Drexel wrestling downed Sacred Heart, 30-7, before falling to Pittsburgh, 28-14, at the Daskalakis Athletic Center. Steve Mytych, Joe Booth and Alex Rinaldi each won two matches on the day to lead the Dragons. The split left Drexel's season record at 2-2.
The Dragons opened the day with a resounding victory over Colonial Athletic Association opponent, Sacred Heart. While Pat Feeley gave the Pioneers an early 4-0 lead after a win by major decision, Drexel co-captain Steve Mytych came through with an 8-1 win at 133 pounds. Sacred Heart added to its lead with Cory Dunn's 7-2 victory at 141 pounds but the Dragons won out to easily defeat the Pioneers. Brent McCurdy started the run with a major decision victory at 149 pounds before Booth locked up a 7-3 decision over Anthony Priore. Rinaldi pulled out a tough 5-4 decision at 165 pounds and Dave Woodall followed with a four-point major decision triumph over Michael Hartman. Jack Callender and Kyle Frey capped the dual with victories with Frey's coming by way of major decision.
The Dragons seemed poised to defeat Pittsburgh after a huge start to the dual. Yurasits dropped a 9-5 decision in the 125-pound opening match but Drexel looked to Mytych to start the momentum moving in the home team's favor. The senior pinned Zach Grove just 2:15 into the match but Tyler Nauman gave the Panthers six points of its own with a pin at 141 pounds to give the visitors a 9-6 edge. Pitt's Eric Albright took a 7-4 decision at 149 pounds but Booth reeled off a perfect technical fall as he toppled Kyle Patton, 15-0. With Drexel down 12-11, Rinaldi came through with a 6-2 triumph to give the Dragons a 14-12 lead. At 174 pounds, Dave Woodall led late into his match before succumbing to Dave Sullivan, 8-4 as the Panthers sealed the dual with victories in the final four matches.
Results:
Drexel 30, Sacred Heart 7
125: Pat Feeley (SH) maj. Josh Yurasits (D), 12-4
133: Steve Mytych (D) dec. Justin Belanger (SH), 8-1
141: Cory Dunn (SH) dec. Shane Fenningham (D), 7-2
149: Brent McCurdy (D) maj. Paul Galipeau (SH), 12-2
157: Joe Booth (D) dec. Anthony Priore (SH), 7-3
165: Alex Rinaldi (D) dec. Johnathon Rizzitello, 5-4
174: Dave Woodall (D) maj. Michael Hartman (SH), 13-4
184: Justin Wieller (D) unopposed/forfiet
197: Jack Callender (D) dec. Brandon Lapp (SH), 13-8
285: Kyle Frey (D) maj. Paul Schweighardt (SH), 18-4
Pittsburgh 28, Drexel 14
125: Chris Kochinsky (P) dec. Josh Yurasits (D), 9-5
133: Steve Mytych (D) FALL Zach Grove (P), 2:15
141: Tyler Nauman (P) FALL Shane Fenningham (D), 4:19
149: Eric Albright (P), dec. Brent McCurdy (D), 7-4
157: Joe Booth (D) t.f. Kyle Patton (P), 15-0
165: Alex Rinaldi (D) dec. Karl Deciantis (P), 6-2
174: Dave Sullivan (P) dec. Dave Woodall (D), 8-4
184: Zac Thomusseit (P) maj. Justin Wieller (D), 14-2
197: Matt Wilps (P) dec. Jack Callender (D), 7-3
285: Ryan Tomei (P) FALL Kyle Frey (D), 4:22