ITHACA, N.Y. – #19 Cornell wrestling suffered a setback on Sunday, Jan. 19, falling to #3 Virginia Tech by a final score of 23-9 in Newman Arena. Sunday marked the return of sophomore
Andrew Berreyesa to the lineup after the Reno, Nev. native spent his first semester on an Olympic redshirt.
Following a strong performance against #22 Rutgers on Friday, Cornell (6-5, 1-0 Ivy) entered Sunday looking to replicate. Entering the day as underdogs, the Big Red would once again need to come out on top in close matches, while picking up an upset along the way.
Cornell did find the upset, as
Hunter Richard earned his first career win over a ranked opponent with an 8-7 decision over #22 Bryce Andonian. Richard maintained a wild-man's pace throughout the match to wear down the Hokie freshman in the second and third period. On fire as of late, Richard has won four straight dual matches with three coming with bonus points. Richard will have a chance to break into the FloWrestling rankings next week following the win.
Also picking up wins for the Big Red were
Chas Tucker and Berreyesa. Tucker defeated #14 Collin Gerardi for the second time this season, 6-2, to improve his season record to 21-0, alongside a 9-0 mark against ranked opponents. Berreyesa was victorious in his debut, making a return to the 174-pound weight class. A first period throw was the difference for Berreyesa, who should bring some stability back to the Cornell lineup following an 8-4 win over Cody Hughes.
Despite losses, Dom Lajoie and
Adam Santoro hung tough in their matches, with Lajoie dropping a close, 3-2 match, against #13 Joey Prata. Santoro's bout against #13 B.C. LaPrade was closer than it looked as well. Santoro trailed LaPrade, 7-6, late in the third before nearly locking LaPrade in a cradle. The ambition from Santoro came back to bite him however, as LaPrade slipped out and put him on his back for late near-fall points.
Up Next
Cornell resumes Ivy League competition next week when it welcomes Harvard and Brown to the Friedman Wrestling Center on Saturday, Jan. 25. The Big Red will wrestle Harvard to open the day at 1 p.m. before battling Brown at 6 p.m. ET.
#19 Cornell Big Red (6-5, 1-0 Ivy) vs. #3 Virginia Tech (8-0, 0-0 ACC)
Jan. 19, 2020 // Newman Arena // Ithaca, N.Y.
Final: Virginia Tech wins, 23-9
125: #13 Joey Prata (VT) dec.
Dom LaJoie (COR), 3-2; Virginia Tech leads 3-0
133: #5
Chas Tucker (COR) dec. #14 Collin Gerardi (VT), 6-2; Tied at 3-3
141: Mitch Moore (VT) dec.
Noah Baughman (COR), 6-0; Virginia Tech leads 6-3
149:
Hunter Richard (COR) dec. #22 Bryce Andonian (VT), 8-7; Tied at 6-6
157: #13 B.C. LaPrade (VT) major dec.
Adam Santoro (COR), 14-6; Virginia Tech leads 10-6
165: #3 David McFadden (VT) dec.
Jake Brindley (COR), 12-6; Virginia Tech leads 13-6
174:
Andrew Berreyesa (COR) dec. Cody Hughes (VT), 8-4; Virginia Tech leads, 13-9
184: #2 Hunter Bolen (VT) dec. #23
Jonathan Loew (COR), 7-2; Virginia Tech leads, 16-9
197: Stanley Smeltzer (VT) major dec.
Jonathon Fagen (COR), 12-4; Virginia Tech leads, 20-9
285: #17 John Borst (VT) dec.
Brendan Furman (COR), 6-0; Virginia Tech wins, 23-9
How the Big Red Won
133: #5 Chas Tucker (COR) dec. #14 Collin Gerardi (VT), 6-2
Tucker quick to find a takedown with a single leg in the opening seconds of the bout. Gerardi escapes after a 10 second ride by Tucker. Stall warning called on Gerardi in the first. Tucker on top to start the second. Tucker's riding time increases over a minute with a long ride to open the second period. Gerardi escapes with a minute left in the period to tie the match at 2-2. Tucker adds two more to his total with a go-behind late the second period, taking a 4-2 lead. Tucker on bottom to start the third, he has 1:30 of RT. Tucker out after a 16 second ride from Gerardi, he's now up 5-2. Tucker warned for stalling in the third. With riding time in the bank, Tucker takes a 6-2 decision over Gerardi. It's the second time he's defeated Gerardi this season.
149: Hunter Richard (COR) dec. #22 Bryce Andonian (VT), 8-7
Richard has been wrestling well lately with three straight bonus point wins, hoping to keep things up against Andonian. Richard tries for a throw, but Andonian is able to find the takedown. Andonian adds two near-fall points at the edge of the mat as well to take a 4-0 lead. Richard escapes after 27 seconds of ride from Andonian, bringing the score to 4-1. It looked as if Richard finally found the throw he was looking for, but no takedown was awarded following an official review. Richard on top to start the second, but Andonian is quick to escape. Richard finds a second period takedown to cut Andonian's lead to 5-3. Richard really pushing the pace of this bout. Andonian warned for stalling. Andonian almost takes down Richard, but Richard rolls through and finds a takedown of his own to bring the score to 6-5 in favor of Andonian. Richard ties things with a quick escape in the third. Richard's pace has been tough for Andonian to keep up with late. Richard takes an 8-6 lead late on a go-behind.
174: Andrew Berreyesa (COR) dec. Cody Hughes (VT), 8-4
Berreyesa looking for his underhooks. He's strong in upper body situations with his Greco background. Berreyesa finds the headlock and throws Hughes to the mat. Looking for a fall in his season debut. Berreyesa can't lock in the fall as action goes off the mat. Berreyesa out to a fast 6-0 lead following the four near-fall. Hughes finds two of his own late in the period in front of the Hokie bench. Berreyesa able to escape right as time expires to take a 7-3 lead. Berreyesa on bottom to start the second. Takes an 8-3 lead with the escape. No additional scoring in the second. Berreyesa on top to start the third. Hughes escapes to bring the score to 8-4. Hughes in on a shot, but Berreyesa defends to a stalemate. Berreyesa warned for stalling with less than a minute to go. Hughes trying to fire off shots late, but Berreyesa doing well to sprawl. Berreyesa wins his season debut for the Big Red.
