UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The University of Pennsylvania wrestling team opened its dual schedule this afternoon at Rec Hall. In a hostile environment, a young and talented group of Quakers were dropped by reigning national champion and second-ranked Penn State, 33-7.
The Quakers lineup featured five freshmen—each of whom made their dual debut for the Red and Blue—and nine underclassmen. Senior Jacob Lizak was the only upperclassman in Penn's starting ten.
Tenth-ranked
Anthony Artalona earned one of Penn's two wins on the day. The sophomore came out aggressive and grabbed an early 2-0 lead after a first-period takedown. Artalona chose to start the second period on bottom and broke to extend his lead to 3-0. After a Penn State escape by Bo Pipher, Artalona extended his lead to 5-1 with a third-period takedown. Pipher escaped once more but Artalona denied any offensive surge to earn a 5-2 decision.
Joey Slackman joined Arty as Penn's second dual winner on the day. Getting the call in his first dual, Slackman used his weight advantage to bully Penn State's Austin Hoopes to a 14-4 major decision. The freshman had three takedowns and an escape to lead 7-3 through two periods. Hoopes started the third period down and escaped to cut it to a three-point match. The Lion continued on the attack to try and decrease Slackman's lead, but Slackman countered with a takedown to make it 9-4. Slackman added another takedown, a near fall, and riding time to take a 14-4 major decision in his first collegiate dual.
Lucas Revano got the nod at 149 and provided fans with an excellent match. Down 4-1 to the Nittany Lions' Luke Gardner, Revano pulled off a reversal to cut the score to 4-3. A pair of escapes for Gardner and an escape by Revano left the score at 6-4 in the third period. The freshman scored a takedown late in the third to tie it at 6-6, but a quick escape from Gardner reestablished the Lions' edge. Revano fought late but could not connect as he ended up on the wrong side of a 7-6 decision.
Making his homecoming to the State College area,
Cole Urbas was greeted by applause from an otherwise hostile crowd when announced at 197. Despite the warm welcome, the Nittany Lions' grad transfer and 20th-ranked Kyle Conel got a quick takedown and nearfall to take a 6-0 lead early in the first period. Urbas escaped to make it 6-1 and opted to start the second period in a neutral position. The freshman maneuvered to get a takedown with the clock winding down in the second period. Two stall points cut Urbas' deficit to 6-5 late in the third. The freshman continued on the front foot with riding time nearly evening out, but time was his enemy as Conel held on for a 6-5 decision.
Notes
- Five Quakers made their dual meet debuts today as freshmen Michael Colaiocco, Lucas Revano, Jesse Quatse, Cole Urbas, and Slackman each earned a start today.
- Artalona earned his first dual victory of the season. Last season, he went 11-3 in Penn's 14 duals.
- Joey Slackman earned his first-collegiate dual victory today with a 14-4 major decision in the heavyweight bout.
Penn State defeats Penn, 33-7
125: Brandon Meredith (PSU) dec. #10
Michael Colaiocco (Penn), 8-5 3-0
133: #4 Roman Bravo-Young (PSU) maj. dec.
Carmen Ferrante (Penn), 21-9 7-0
141: #3 Nick Lee (PSU) def.
Doug Zapf (Penn), 13-4 MD 11-0
149: Luke Gardner (PSU) dec.
Lucas Revano (Penn), 7-6 14-0
157: #10
Anthony Artalona (Penn) dec. Bo Pipher (PSU), 5-2 14-3
165: #1 Vincenzo Joseph (PSU) pinned
Jake Lizak (Penn), WBF (4:25) 20-3
174: #1 Mark Hall PSU tech fall
Neil Antrassian (Penn), 19-4 (7:00) 25-3
184: Aaron Brooks PSU tech fall Jesse Antrassian (Penn), 19-4 (6:03) 30-3
197: #20 Kyle Conel (PSU) dec.
Cole Urbas (Penn), 6-5 33-3
285:
Joey Slackman (Penn) maj. dec. Austin Hoopes (PSU), 14-4 33-7
