University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
UPJ Seal

vs. #7 Ashland (OH) University - 02/12/05

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#6 UPJ Wrestlers Honor Seniors, 
Then Hand #7 Ashland a 19-12 Loss
     Saturday was an emotional night for Head Coach Pat Pecora and the #6-ranked Mountain Cat wrestlers.  Not only did Pitt Johnstown play host to #7 Ashland (OH) University, but the Mountain Cat program bid farewell to five seniors who wrestled their final dual meet in the Sports Center.  Following a ceremony recognizing the seniors, the emotional Mountain Cats took the mat and defeated Ashland for the second time in less than a month.  This time, Pitt Johnstown prevailed, 19-12, to improve to 19-5 on the season.
     After falling behind 3-0 to start the match, Pitt Johnstown red-shirt freshman Brandon Reasy (133 lbs.) (New Enterprise, Pa./Northern Bedford H.S.) upset #8-ranked Zach Meissner, 3-1 and junior All-American Thad Benton (141 lbs.) (Claysburg, Pa./Claysburg-Kimmel H.S.) defeated Tony Iovine, 5-2 to put the Mountain Cats up 6-3.  The Eagles tied the score 6-6 when Dugan Bentley upset #7 Ryan Ickes (Claysburg, Pa./Clausburg-Kimmel H.S.), 3-1 in overtime.  However, that was as close as Ashland would get.  Senior Matt Roncolato (157 lbs.) (Allentown, Pa./Salisbury H.S.), senior All-American and #3-ranked Mark Glova (165 lbs.) (St. Benedict, Pa./Cambria Heights H.S.) and sophomore Eli Garshnick (174 lbs.) (Armagh, Pa./United H.S.) all won by decision to give Pitt Johnstown a 16-6 lead.  Ashland's #5-ranked Clint Carmony earned a 6-4 win over Mountain Cat red-shirt freshman Mike Corcetti (Export, Pa./Kiski Area H.S.) at 184 lbs. to cut the Pitt Johnstown lead to 19-9, but senior three-time All-American Howard Bell (197 lbs.) upset NCAA #7 Ryan Kirst, 3-1, with a take down in overtime to increase the lead to 19-9.  In the night's final match, Aldo Campea, ranked #4 in the nation, picked up a 4-2 victory in three overtimes over Zach Majocha (Upper Burrell, Pa./Burrell H.S.) to set the final score at 19-12 in favor of Pitt Johnstown.  With the loss, Ashland dropped to 12-4 on the year.
     Prior to the match, the Pitt Johsntown wrestling program recognized seniors Howard Bell (197 lbs.), Mark Glova (165 lbs.), Brandon Ickes (157 lbs.) (Claysburg, Pa./Claysburg-Kimmel H.S.), Ryan Ickes (149 lbs.) and Matt Roncolato (157 lbs.).
     The Mountain Cats finish the regular season at West Liberty State (WV) College on Wednesday, before hosting the 2005 NCAA Division II East Regional Wrestling Tournament on Friday and Saturday, February 25 and 26 in the Sports Center.  For East Regional Wrestling ticket information, call the Pitt Johnstown Athletic Department at (814) 269-2000.

Last Reviewed: February 12, 2005
Copyright © March 2004
The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown