Before the match commenced, Cornell honored its eight seniors. Though not competing against Brown, John Cholish, Jim March, Matt Pollock, and Mike Reish were also recognized for their contributions to the program. A pair of wrestlers who will be a part of the festivities at this time next year got the Big Red started as Matt Easter and Keith Dickey both pulled out 6-4 decisions to put Cornell on top 6-0. Manotti, ranked sixth in his 157-pound weight class, then recorded his 125th career victory, a 14-3 major decision over Mike Savino.
With the score 10-0, Brown got an unlikely win from Shawn Kitchner as he edged No. 13 Steve Anceravage 6-3. Any enjoyment from the Rhode Island contingent was short-lived, however, as Miracola, Mazzurco, and Jerry Rinaldi used the next three bouts to make an emphatic statement. First, it was Miracola who earned a 13-4 major decision over Matt Gevlinger in the 174-pound match. At 184 pounds Mazzurco scored early and often in a 23-7 technical fall victory over Branden Stearns. He came very close to pinning Stearns' shoulders to the mat midway through the second period, and took him down four times in a 1:20 flurry that brought about the stoppage. Rinaldi built a 13-0 third period lead against Brown 197-pounder Leo Saniuk, and, although an escape by Saniuk prevented Rinaldi from reaching the 15 point differential during time, recorded 3:21 of riding time to grab a 16-1 win.
The last three matches provided more excitement. Brown's heavyweight Levon Mock scored a controversial takedown as time expired to gain a 4-3 win over Zach Hammond as fans in attendance voiced their displeasure. With the score now 24-6, No. 4 Troy Nickerson made sure to avoid a similar fate by wrapping up his match in a mere 57 seconds, scoring a pin over Jeff Schell. The afternoon concluded with Mormile's hard fought 2-0 victory over Dan Apello. Mormile got one point for an escape at the outset of the 2nd period and then held Apello without one of his own from the down position in the 3rd to bring the 33-6 match to an end.
In addition to being Cornell's fourth straight Ivy League crown, it is the seventh under head coach Rob Koll. The Big Red last lost an Ivy League match on Feb. 2, 2002 against Penn. In all matches, the win was also the squad's eighth consecutive. Cornell has not lost since Jan. 14th when it dropped matches to Michigan and Oklahoma.
The Big Red hits the mats again on Mar. 4-5 at the EIWA Championships in Bethlehem, Penn., where Lehigh will be looking to avenge its Jan. 22 loss to Cornell.
No. 14 CORNELL 33 VS. BROWN 6
141- Matt Easter (C) dec. Mark Savino 6-4 C:3 B:0
149- Keith Dickey (C) dec. Mike Ashton 6-4 C:6 B:0
157- No. 6 Dustin Manotti (C) major dec. Mike Savino 14-3 C:10 B:0
165- Shawn Kitchner (B) dec. No. 13 Steve Anceravage 6-3 C:10 B:3
174- Dan Miracola (C) major dec. Matt Gevlinger 13-4 C:14 B:3
184- No. 3 Joe Mazzurco (C) def. tech fall Branden Stearns 23-7 C:19 B:3
197- No. 7 Jerry Rinaldi (C) def. tech fall Leo Saniuk 16-1 C:24 B: 3
HWT- Levon Mock (B) def. Zach Hammond 4-3 C:24 B:6
125- No. 4 Troy Nickerson (C) pinned Jeff Schnell :57 C:30 B:6
133- No. 15 Mike Mormile (C) dec. Dan Apello 2-0 C:33 B:6
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