DAVIDSON, N.C. – Gardner-Webb picked up a 38-6 win over Davidson to open a busy day of action on the mats and held off American, 19-18, in the finale for a Super Bowl Sunday sweep.
Five different wrestlers picked up two wins each on the day, with Austin Trott winning twice via tech fall on Sunday. The two wins pushed Trott's season record to 21-6 on the season (12-3 dual) and his 17-2 win over Davidson's Patrick Devlin pushed his SoCon mark to 5-1.
Tyler Ziegler started things nicely against Davidson, topping Anthony Elias at 133 pounds by a 3-2 margin. Ryan Hull followed with another tight win, topping Dustin Runzo by an 8-7 count.
Ryan Mosley, quickly emerging as a strong NCAA candidate at 149 pounds, picked up his 21st win of the season in dominant fashion, whipping James McCord by a 16-3 score for a major decision.
Tyler Marinelli rolled to a 17-1 tech fall win at 157 pounds, and Trott followed with his first tech fall of the day – pushing Gardner-Webb's team lead to 20-0. Brett Stein captured a 14-8 decision over Nathaniel Powers at 174 pounds, before Davidson got its lone win – with Scott Patrick pinning Hunter Gamble (5:37) for a six-pointer.
Boyce Cornwell followed with a 3-2 win at 197 pounds, Justin Kozera pinned Ed Isola at 285 pounds in just 1:30 and Cortez Starkes picked up a win via forfeit at 125 pounds for the final margin.
Ziegler again got things started with a tight win at 133 pounds vs. American, topping Josh Terao in overtime for an early 3-0 lead for the Runnin' Bulldogs. The two teams traded wins over the next four outs, with Mosley taking a 5-1 win at 149 pounds and Trott dominating again in a 17-0 tech fall win over Brad Mutchnik at 165 pounds.
Brett Stein gave Gardner-Webb a 16-6 edge with a very impressive performance at 174 pounds, turning momentum in favor of GWU with a 24-8 tech. fall win over Nicholas Carey.
After American picked up consecutive wins – a decision and a major decision – to cut Gardner-Webb's lead to 16-13, Justin Kozera regained control for the Runnin' Bulldogs with a 3-0 win over Chris McDermand at 285 for a 19-13 team score.
American's David Terao capped the match with a major decision, winning 16-3, for the final margin.
Gardner-Webb (6-9, 3-3 SoCon) returns home for its next bout, hosting Atlantic Coast Conference member Duke on Wednesday, February 4, at 7:00 pm in Paul Porter Arena.
TEAM SCORE: Gardner-Webb 38, Davidson 6
133: Tyler Ziegler (Gardner-Webb) decision over Anthony Elias (Davidson) 3-2
141: Ryan Hull (Gardner-Webb) decision over Dustin Runzo (Davidson) 8-7
149: Ryan Mosley (Gardner-Webb) major decision over James McCord (Davidson) 16-3
157: Tyler Marinelli (Gardner-Webb) tech. fall over Alex Palinski (Davidson) 17-1
165: Austin Trott (Gardner-Webb) tech. fall over Patrick Devlin (Davidson) 17-2
174: Brett Stein (Gardner-Webb) decision over Nathaniel Powers (Davidson) 14-8
184: Scott Patrick (Davidson) fall over Hunter Gamble (Gardner-Webb) 5:37
197: Boyce Cornwell (Gardner-Webb) decision over Ian Solcz (Davidson) 3-2
285: Justin Kozera (Gardner-Webb) fall over Ed Isola (Davidson) 1:30
125: Cortez Starkes win by forfeit
TEAM SCORE: Gardner-Webb 19, American 18
133: Tyler Ziegler (Gardner-Webb) SV-1 over Josh Terao (American)
141: Michael Sprague (American) maj. Decision over Ryan Hull (Gardner-Web) 14-3
149: Ryan Mosley (Gardner-Webb) decision over Tom Page (American) 5-1
157: John Boyle (American) Tyler Marinelli (Gardner Webb)
165: Austin Trott (Gardner-Webb) tec. Fall over Brad Mutchnik (American) 17-0
174: Brett Stein (Gardner-Webb) tec. Fall over Nicholas Carey (American) 24-8
184: Jeric Kasunic (American) decision over Gray Jones (Gardner-Webb) 8-1
197: Brett Dempsey (American) maj over Boyce Cornwell (Gardner-Webb) 12-4
285: Justin Kozera (Gardner-Webb) over Chris McDermand (American) 3-0
125: David Terao (American) maj decision over Cortez Starkes 16-3
