FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Cornell wrestling split a pair of duals in its final day of competition at the South Beach Duals hosted at the Broward County Convention Center. The Big Red defeated #19 Missouri in its first dual of the day, 19-18, before falling to #15 Minnesota later in the afternoon, 31-12.
 
With the split, Cornell's season dual record moves to 4-3 with Ivy League duals on the horizon. The Big Red finish the South Beach Duals with a 4-1 record.
 
In its first dual of the day, Cornell mounted a massive comeback against Missouri. Trailing 18-3 heading into the final four weights, the Big Red outscored the Tigers, 16-0, to secure a 19-18 victory. Missouri mounted its 18-3 lead by winning five of the first six weights, with Cornell's lone win coming via #6 Chas Tucker at 133 pounds. Tucker remained unbeaten on the season with a 6-3 victory over #24 Allan Hart.
 
Brandon Womack got the comeback started with a 10-8 decision over Jeremiah Kent. Jonathan Loew also picked up a decision, defeating #22 Dylan Wisman, 16-10. Loew nearly scored a tech fall for the Big Red, leading Wisman 15-4 prior to a late surge by the Tiger grappler. At 197 pounds, Ben Darmstadt continued to enjoy his return to the weight, pinning #23 Wyatt Koelling in 1:11. Koelling scored a takedown on Darmstadt, but it was the Big Red sophomore that used some funk to find the reversal and the fall.
 
For the second time in two days, the result of a dual came down to a performance by Brendan Furman at heavyweight, and he delivered. Needing to win by at least five points to complete the comeback effort, Furman defeated Jose Diaz by major decision, 14-6. A five point win by decision would have won the dual for Cornell by criteria. Cornell trailed in non-fall points, 47-43 heading into the final bout.
 
After winning its first four duals in Fort Lauderdale, Cornell's winning streak ran dry against Minnesota, as the Big Red fell to the Gophers by a final score of 31-12.
 
Tucker and Darmstadt each continued to have strong showings in South Beach, with each winning matches against Minnesota via pin. Tucker, now 17-0, maintained his undefeated season with a pin of Brent Jones in 3:35. Darmstadt is now 5-0 when wrestling at 197 this season, a move that seems to be paying dividends for the Big Red sophomore. Darmstadt made quick work of Garrett Joles, pinning him in the first period.
 
Up Next: Cornell wrestling returns to the mat on Saturday, Jan. 11 for a pair of duals against #14 Lehigh and Columbia from the Friedman Wrestling Center. The Big Red will wrestle Lehigh at 1 p.m. before meeting Columbia at 3 p.m.
 
FULL RESULTS
 
#18 Cornell Big Red (4-2) vs. #19 Missouri (5-3)
Dec. 30, 2019 // Broward County Convention Center // Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Final: Cornell wins, 19-18

125: Dack Punke (MIZZOU) dec. Dom LaJoie (COR), 6-2
133: #6 Chas Tucker (COR) dec. #24 Allan Hart (MIZZOU), 6-3
141: #9 Grant Leeth (MIZZOU) dec. Noah Baughman (COR), 6-3
149: #2 Brock Mauller (MIZZOU) dec. Hunter Richard (COR), 6-1
157: #13 Jarrett Jacques (MIZZOU) dec. Adam Santoro (COR), 8-5
165: Peyton Mocco (MIZZOU) def. Milik Dawkins (COR), Fall (4:35)
174: #15 Brandon Womack (COR) dec. Jeremiah Kent (MIZZOU), 10-8
184: Jonathan Loew (COR) dec. #22 Dylan Wisman (MIZZOU), 16-10
197: Ben Darmstadt* (COR) def. #23 Wyatt Koelling (MIZZOU), Fall (1:11)
285: Brendan Furman (COR) major dec. Jose Diaz (MIZZOU), 14-6
 
#18 Cornell Big Red (4-3) vs. #15 Minnesota (5-3)
Dec. 30, 2019 // Broward County Convention Center // Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Final: Minnesota wins, 31-12

125: #19 Patrick McKee (MINN) dec. Dom LaJoie (COR), 9-7
133: #6 Chas Tucker (COR) def. Brent Jones (MINN), Fall (3:35)
141: #2 Mitch McKee (MINN) def. Noah Baughman (COR), Fall (0:48)
149: #5 Brayton Lee (MINN) dec. Hunter Richard (COR), 9-4
157: Carson Brolsma (MINN) dec. Adam Santoro (COR), 5-4
165: Bailee O'Reilly (MINN) dec. Milik Dawkins (COR), 8-3
174: #7 Devin Skatzka (MINN) def. Andrew Merola (COR), Fall (6:13)
184: #18 Owen Webster (MINN) dec. Jonathan Loew (COR), 8-3
197: Ben Darmstadt* (COR) def. Garrett Joles (MINN), Fall (2:00)
285: #2 Gable Steveson (MINN) major dec. Brendan Furman (COR), 13-3
 
Note: All rankings are by FloWrestling as of Dec. 23
*Ben Darmstadt is ranked #7 at 184 pounds, this is his first event wrestling at 197 pounds in 2019-20