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Cornell University Athletics

2013 seniors
Lindsey Mechalik/Cornell Athletics

Wrestling Set to Honor Eight Seniors at Dual vs. Bucknell

2/8/2013 1:03:00 AM

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ITHACA, N.Y.—
The No. 7 Cornell wrestling team will play host to Bucknell on Sunday afternoon for its final dual at the Friedman Wrestling Center for the season. The Big Red will honor its eight seniors before the start of the match including three-time NCAA champion Kyle Dake, NCAA champion Steve Bosak, Cody Hutcheson, Pete Mesko, Oney Snyder, Lukasz Stala, Joe Stanzione and Patrick Sullivan. Cornell will also induct three new members into its Hall of Distinguished Wrestling Alumni including Joe DeMeo '66, Dan Kathan '71, Andy Noel (Honorary).


Match 15: No. 7 Cornell vs. Bucknell
Date: Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013
Time: 2 p.m.
Site: Friedman Wrestling Center ~ Ithaca, N.Y.
Records: Cornell (11-3, 5-0 Ivy), Bucknell (6-9)
Last Meeting: Feb. 23, 2008 ~ Cornell won, 26-7 ~ Ithaca, N.Y.
Streak: Cornell has won the last four matches.
Last Bucknell Win: Feb. 23, 1980 ~ Bucknell won 30-12

No. 7 Cornell Probable Starters
125: No. 6 Nahshon Garrett
133: Bricker Dixon
141: No. 12 Mike Nevinger
149: No. 13 Chris Villalonga
157: Jesse Shanaman
165: No. 1 Kyle Dake
174: Marshall Peppelman
184: No. 4 Steve Bosak
197: Jace Bennett
HWT: Jacob Aiken-Phillips /Stryker Lane
 
Bucknell Probable Lineup (6-9, 2-2 EIWA)
125: Open
133: Paul Petrov (15-9)
141: Derrik Russell (9-16)
149: Adam Healey (9-16)
157: Vincent Favia (12-13)
165: No. 10 Corey Lear (19-4)
174: Stephen McPeek (12-8) or Robert Schlitt (3-13)
184: Robert Marchese (5-19)
197: Tyler Lyster (17-11)
HWT: Joe Stolfi (15-11)

Scouting the Bison
Bucknell brings a 6-9 record into the weekend, and will play host to Lock Haven on Friday before traveling to East Hill. In its last outing, the Bison defeated George Mason, 21-12. Bucknell will be without NCAA qualifier, 125 pound Austin Miller. Miller is out the rest of the season due to injury. The Bison bring one ranked wrestler into the weekend, No. 10 Corey Lear who will face No. 1 Kyle Dake at 165 pounds. At heavyweight, Joe Stolfi brings an eight match win streak into the weekend.

Hall of Distinguished Wrestling Alumni Inductee Bios With Comments From Coach Rob Koll:

Dan Kathan '71
Current CEO of Student Agencies, Inc. Formerly worked for Toshiba Display Devices as Vice President of Operations in their U.S. Tube making division. After graduating from the Johnson School, Dan began his career with E. I. Dupont at their Engineering Headquarters. While most of his career has been in industry, he also worked for Cornell University as Associate Director of Athletics with responsibility for Alumni Affairs.

Graduated from Cornell University with a BS from the Engineering School in 1971 and received his Masters of Business Administration from Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management in 1973.

Although Dan has had and continues to enjoy an impressive professional career his greatest contribution to Cornell wrestling has been his commitment to our wrestlers. Dan has employed countless wrestlers during the summer months as well as during the school year.  He has done everything from personally working with them on their resumes, to helping them prepare for a job interview, to hiring them for internships within the companies that he oversees.

Joe DeMeo '66
Joe is truly a legend in the sport of Greco-Roman wrestling. Joe's coaching and wrestling accomplishments are impressive but here is a sampling of some of his highlights.

Joe started his coaching career as an assistant coach at Michigan State, coached at Stanford for six years, followed by 20 years at Albany University. He was a three-time Olympic team coach, and has coached the national team on four occasions. He was the head coach of the United States Greco-Roman World team four times and National Coach of the Year for USA Wrestling three times. Twice Joe was the coach of the U.S. Pan American team, and was a member of the USOC coaching staff in 1976, 1980, 1988, and 1992, coaching two gold medalists. In 2005 he was named Developmental Coach of the Year by USA Wrestling. 

As a wrestler he was a 3X letterman for Cornell, had two undefeated dual-meet seasons, and lost only one dual meet in three years at 137 pounds. Joe was undefeated against Ivy League opponents the 1962-63 campaign. Joe went on to win the National Freestyle Championship.

Andy Noel (Honorary)                                                                                                                                        
As the Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education Andy has served as our AD for the past 14 years. During his tenure Cornell athletic teams have enjoyed a level of success never before seen at the university.  Cornell has won 77 Ivy League team titles and 17 national championships during his tenure. The program captured 31 Ivy titles from 2002-03 through 2005-06, setting a Cornell record dating back to the inception of the Ivy League, including a record nine in 2005-06. Academically in 2011-12, 11 student-athletes were named to academic all-district teams, with three earning Academic All-America honors, bringing Cornell' s nine-year total to 23--among the most of any school in the country.


At The Helm
Rob Koll, the David R. Dunlop '59 Head Coach of Wrestling, is in his 20th season as mentor of the Cornell wrestling program. In that time, Koll has amassed a 228-78-5 overall record in duals and has led the Big Red to 14 Ivy League titles. Cornell has captured a modern record six EIWA team championships and earned 40 EIWA individual titles. In 2011, he helped Cornell to its first ever National Duals title Jan. 8-9, 2011 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Koll, a four-time All-American and former NCAA champion, has helped Big Red wrestlers to capture 10 individual NCAA titles and 45 All-America honors.
 
Follow the Action
Fans can follow the Big Red throughout the season by Twitter. Cornell coaches will keep fans updated match-by-match throughout the tournament at www.twitter.com/bigredwrestling. Another great way to follow the Big Red throughout the season is to become a fan on Facebook. Fans can also listen to select Cornell wrestling matches live on the radio at 1160espn.com. Home dual matches are also available live on RedCast. Live stats will also be available throughout the season via Track Wrestling. Links will be available on the Cornell wrestling schedule before the start of the match.

 All Things Ivy
With another 5-0 season against Ancient Eight foes, the Big Red won its 11th-straight Ivy League title last weekend. Cornell has won its last 58 matches against Ivy League opponents. Senior Kyle Dake picked up pins in all five of his league victories, while fellow senior Steve Bosak was 5-0 with two falls and a major decision. Freshman Nahshon Garrett was also perfect against the Ivy League, adding bonus points with four major decisions. At 149 pounds, Chris Villalonga went 4-0 with a pin and a win by technical fall. At heavyweight, Jacob Aiken-Phillips and Stryker Lane teamed up to go 5-0. Aiken-Phillips notched three wins, while Lane had two. All-Ivy honors will be awarded after the league completes all competitions.

Brotherly Love
The Big Red currently has three sets of brothers on its roster. NCAA Champion Steve Bosak was joined in Ithaca this season by his younger brother Scott Bosak. Freshman Logan David also joined his senior brother Conner David. Cornell also has a set of twins in freshmen Craig and Owen Scott. Jake Arnone's older brother, Josh, is a 2010 Cornell Wrestling alumni. 

On the Newsstand
Kyle Dake is in the Jan. 21 edition of Sports Illustrated in Faces in the Crowd. The magazine is available starting Wed. Jan. 16. Faces in the Crowd has been published every week since 1956.

Southern Scuffle
Mike Nevinger and Kyle Dake won individual titles as the Big Red wrestling team placed fifth at the Southern Scuffle. Dake was only the second wrestler in history to win four titles. At 184 pounds, senior Steve Bosak placed second, while freshman Nahshon Garrett was third at 125 pounds. Also placing were Chris Villalonga (5th, 149), Marshall Peppelman (8th, 174) and Jace Bennett (7th, 197). Dake faced No. 2 David Taylor of Penn State in the finals where he won a 3-2 decision. Nevinger defeated No. 4 Undrakhbayar Khishignaym of the Citadel in the finals, 3-2. Bosak was edged out by No. 1 ranked Ed Ruth in the 184 pounds finals, 7-3.
 
Grapple at the Garden
Senior Kyle Dake was named the Bill Farrell Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Grapple at the Garden after defeating No. 13 Zach Toal of Missouri and muscling past No. 3 Tyler Caldwell of Oklahoma State. Missouri defeated the Big Red, 21-15 in the first dual of the day. No. 2 Oklahoma State inched past Cornell with bonus points in the second match, 21-16. Returning NCAA champion Steve Bosak returned to the Cornell lineup for the first time this season and picked up two wins over ranked wrestlers. College wrestling invaded Madison Square Garden for the first time in the arena's 133 year storied history. The event included 14 Division I teams competing in 12 dual meets. Thousands of fans filled the lower bowl of the Garden, and numerous wrestling greats, UFC fighters and WWE competitors were interviewed on the floor throughout the event. The teams were introduced with strobe lights and pyrotechnics giving the event an unprecedented atmosphere. The Big Red wrestlers even used the Knicks' locker room.

Sin City
Senior Kyle Dake won the individual title at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational at 165 pounds, Nov. 30-Dec. 1. The No. 8 ranked Cornell wrestling team took third place at the 31st annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. Dake defeated second seeded Steven Monk of North Dakota State, 6-0. Freshman Nahshon Garrett took second. Four other Cornell wrestlers placed in their respective weight classes including: Mike Nevinger (4th, 141), Chris Villalonga (6th, 149), Jace Bennett (7th, 197) and Stryker Lane (6th, HWT).
 
On My Honor...
Kyle Dake was named TheMat.com's Wrestler of the week Nov. 5 after defeating Penn State's David Taylor at the NWCA All-Star Classic. Dake defeated the Nittany Lion wrestler 2-1 in the tie breakers to earn the top ranking at 165 pounds.
 
EIWA Wrestler of the Week
Freshmen Nahshon Garrett was named EIWA Co-Wrestler of the Week on Nov. 19 after winning the New York State Collegiate Wrestling Tournament. Garrett was also named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. Garrett shared the honor with Lehigh's Joey Napoli who knocked off No. 2 Dylan Alton of Penn State at 157 pounds. Garrett opened his rookie campaign with a 10-0 record that includes six bonus wins. In the finals, he defeated No. 6 Steve Bonanno of Hofstra, 13-9. Garrett also won the crown at the Binghamton Open. Going 5-0 for the weekend, Garrett also won by a 14-1 major decision over Binghamton's Patrick Hunter in a Friday night dual.
 
Award Season
Kyle Dake was named EIWA Wrestler of the Week on Dec. 3 after winning the title at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in a dominate fashion. The three-time NCAA champion is ranked No. 1 at 165 pounds and went 5-0 on his way to standing atop the podium. Dake opened the tournament with two pins and followed by winning a 12-1 major decision over the No. 8 seed, Holden Packard of Boise State. In the semifinals, Dake picked up his second major decision with a 14-3 win over No. 15 Zach Toal of Missouri. In the finals, Dake shut out No. 8 Steven Monk of North Dakota State, 6-0.
 
Award Season Take Two...
Kyle Dake was named the EIWA Wrestler of the week for the second time on Dec. 17. Dake defeated No. 3 Tyler Caldwell of Oklahoma State and No. 13 Zach Toal of Missouri at the Grapple at the Garden. Dake was also named the Bill Farrell Most Outstanding Wrestler at the event. Dake has now defeated four of the top 10 wrestlers in his 165 pound weight class. Dake is now 11-0 for the season.
 
Seeing Stars
Kyle Dake muscled past Penn State's David Taylor, 2-1, at the NWCA All-Star Classic on Nov. 3. The two were deadlocked after regulation, but the Big Red senior rode out Taylor in the second overtime for the win. Dake was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler for the Red Team at the conclusion of the night. Kendric Maple of Oklahoma won the award for the Blue Team. The victory is an exhibition win for Dake, but the mental advantage helped him start his senior season off right. Dake has moved up to 165 pounds to wrestle in his fourth weight class in as many years, and he is looking to be the only wrestler in history to win NCAA titles at four different weight classes. The bout marked the first time that Dake and Taylor had met in collegiate/folk style. At the end of last season, Dake pinned Taylor at the Olympic Freestyle Team Trials at 74 kg. Dake went on to place third at the Trials. The match marked the second time Dake wrestled in his career at 165 pounds. Last season he moved up to the weight class to wrestle Joe Charnish of Binghamton for a dual on the road. Dake won by fall in 6:23.
 
Empire State of Mind
The Big Red wrestling team won the team championship at the New York State Collegiate Wrestling Championships on Nov. 17 at the Newman Arena. Cornell crowned four individual champions and had 10 place winners. Freshman Nahshon Garrett was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament after grabbing the crown at 125 pounds. Mike Nevinger (141), Craig Scott (184) and Jace Bennett (197) all won their respective weight classes, while freshman Chris Dowdy took second at 157 pounds.  In the “B” bracket,  Ryan Dunphy (149), Michael Alexander (174) and Jacob Aiken-Phillips (HWT) all won their respective weight classes. At 133 pounds, Josh Kennedy recorded the fastest fall in Cornell school history, pinning Michael Baruch of Yeshiva in 10 seconds.
 
Don't Blink
At the New York State Collegiate Wrestling Tournament,  Josh Kennedy record the fasted fall in school history in the “B” Tournament. Kennedy pinned Michael Baruch of Yeshiva in 10 seconds. Junior Marshall Peppelman tied the record on Nov. 24 at the Mat Town Open when he pinned Tyler Rill of Bloomsburg in 10 seconds in the bout for third place. The former record was held by Troy Nickerson '10. Nickerson pinned McGuire of Eastern Michigan in 13 seconds on Jan. 17, 2009.
 
Journeymen Northeast Duals
The Big Red swept its competition at the Northeast Duals with a 3-0 record on Nov. 24. Cornell opened the day by blanking Drexel, 40-0, and followed by edging out No. 9 Central Michigan, 17-15. The Big Red rounded out the day with a 25-13 victory over No. 12 Oklahoma. Sophomore Jace Bennett went 3-0 for the day with two major decisions and a pin against the Sooners. Freshman Nahshon Garrett and senior Kyle Dake were also 3-0 on the day.
 
The Binghamton Open
Big Red wrestlers competed unattached at the Binghamton Open, Nov. 11. Eleven wrestlers placed in the top six of their respective weight classes including: Nashon Garrett (1st, 125), Bricker Dixon (4th, 125), Nick Arujau (4th, 133), Joe Stanzion (2nd, 141), Mike Nevinger (4th, 141), Jesse Shanaman (6th, 157, medically forfeited out of tournament), Duke Pickett Jr. (4th, 174), Marshall Peppelman (6th, 174), Craig Scott (2nd, 184), Billy George (4th, 197) and Jace Bennett (6th, 197).
 
Down for the Count
Senior Kyle Dake ranks third in the Cornell record books in pins with 39, while fellow senior Steve Bosak is tied for fifth with 37. Their classmate Joe Stanzione has also pinned his way onto the list. Stanzione is tied for 15th with 20 pins, while junior Mike Nevinger Stryker Lane are tied for 19th with 19 falls. Dake and Bosak are also tied for fifth with 13 falls in a season. Dake's 13 come from this season, while Bosak had 13 during the 2011-12 campaign. Dake is also tied for 10th with 12 pins last season.
 
Winner Winner
Kyle Dake is currently sixth in the Cornell record books with 124 career victories. Fellow senior Steve Bosak is tied for eighth with 119. Dake is also second in career winning percentage at 96.86%. Two-time NCAA champion Dave Auble holds the told spot with a 98.08%.
 
Racking Up Points
Senior Kyle Dake sits in the fifth spot in the Big Red career record books with 73 bonus wins including 39 falls.  Fellow senior Steve Bosak is sixth with 70 bonus wins including 38 falls. Junior Mike Nevinger has worked his way onto the list and ranks 19th after notching 47 wins with extra points. Dake has seven-straight bonus wins.
 
That's Major!
Kyle Dake is tied for 10th in the career record books in major decisions with 26. Steve Bosak is three spots behind him at 13th with 25. Volunteer assistant coach Mike Grey holds the third spot with 37. Dake is also tied for 13th in major decisions in a season with 11 during his sophomore campaign.
 
Winning Percentage
Senior Kyle Dake is second in the Cornell record books in career winning percentage at 96.86%. Dake has a 124-4 overall record. Two-time NCAA champion Dave Auble holds the top spot with 98.08%. Auble was 51-1 from 1957-60. Dake is also second in career dual win percentage at 97.87%. He has a 46-1 record.
 
Red-White Eliminations
Cornell wrestling held Red-White Eliminations on Friday, Nov. 8 at the Friedman Wrestling Center. Two wrestlers squared off at each weight class looking to earn a starting spot. The Red team won six bouts on its way to a 24-13 victory.
 
Results
125- Nahshon Garrett (W) maj. dec. vs. Logan David (R), 16-2
133- Nick Arujau (R) dec. Josh Kennedy (W), 8-1
141- Joe Stanzione (R) dec. Mike Nevinger (W), 9-2
149- Chris Villalonga (R) dec. Ryan Dunphy (W), 3-2 OT
157- Jesse Shanaman (W) inj. Def. Craig Eifert (R)
165- Kyle Dake (R) win by fall Patrick Sullivan (W), 1:18
174- Marshall Peppelman (W) dec. Duke Pickett (R), 2-1
184- Craig Scott (R) dec. Pete Mesko (W), 9-4
197- Jace Bennett(R) dec. Billy George (W), 7-4
285- Jacob Aiken-Phillips (W) dec. Stryker Lane (R), 1-0
 
Next Time Out
The Big Red will play regional host to the National Duals on Sunday, Feb. 17th. The Big Red will be joined by Hofstra, Nebraska, and Virginia in Newman Arena.   
 

 

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