The shutout is the first for Penn since a 35-0 blanking of Brown on Feb. 5, 2011 and the 37 points are the most scored by Penn in a dual meet since racking up 37 against Princeton on Feb. 6, 2011.
Penn’s seniors capped a great weekend with three more wins, Mark Rappo, Micah Burak and Troy Hernandez each sweeping through their final weekend of wrestling at The Palestra.
Rappo started the dual as he has done so many times during his career – with a win. Rappo was dominant for the opening two periods, building an 11-2 lead. In the third, Jacob Goodwin attempted to climb back into the match, catching Rappo with an inside trip and backpoints – a five-point move – to close the match to 11-7. Rappo was able to escape and add a takedown before his 3:33 of riding time secured the major decision. The win improved Rappo to 22-3 all-time in duals at The Palestra, and he ends his home wrestling career with 14 consecutive dual-meet wins.
After a 10-2 major decision from Jeff Canfora – his second of the weekend – Penn won the first of two matches between ranked wrestlers via a 4-1 decision from No. 9 C.J. Cobb at 141. Cobb fought through six scrambles in his match with No. 19 Frank Cimato, defending through each time to avoid allowing a takedown. In the second period, Cobb was able to ride for over a minute and a half before Cimato could escape, building a bank of riding time for the third period. Cobb found his escape quickly in the third period, and connected on the match’s only takedown in the final seconds for the 4-1 win.
Andrew Lenzi made it three major decisions in four matches for the Quakers with an 11-0 win over Joshua Yurasits at 149 pounds. Lenzi led, 7-0, after one period. He built the lead off one takedown, adding four backpoints when Yurasits needed injury time and then an escape. Lenzi tacked on a takedown in the third for the bonus points.
Hernandez scored his second win of the weekend, fighting through a scramble in the final seconds for a 3-2 win over Austin Sommer. Hernandez scored the bout’s only takedown in the first period, and defended on the edge of the mat for the victory.
Casey Kent was again dominant for his second tech fall of the weekend, defeating Connor Moran, 17-2. Kent led, 9-0, after one period via one takedown and three sets of backpoints. In the third, Kent again controlled from top, turning a takedown into three backpoints at the buzzer for the win.
Ian Korb and Canaan Bethea continued the momentum with major decisions, Korb a 12-4 winner over Kevin Matyas and Bethea scoring an 11-2 win over Bryan Sternlieb. Korb scored his points from his feet with five takedowns, Bethea scoring three takedowns with three backpoints as well.
Closing in on the shutout, Penn needed No. 8 Micah Burak to come up with another big win. He did so, knocking off No. 19 Brandon Palik, 6-1. After a scoreless first period, Burak rode Palik for the entire second period. Burak would escape quickly in the third, and then threw Palik to his back for four points to close out the win. Steven Graziano would clinch the clean sheet, defeating Jon Max Wright, 5-2.
Penn is off for two weeks until the EIWA Championships at Rutgers University March 8-9.
Notes: Rob Eiter reached the 10-win plateau for the fourth time in five seasons as head coach of the Quakers … Penn ended 2012-13 with a 6-1 record at home, the second-best under home record under Rob Eiter (8-1 in 2008-09) … Mark Rappo finished his career with a 22-3 record at home in duals and winner in 14 straight. His last loss in a dual at home came on Feb. 21, 2010 … Seven of Penn’s nine non-freshmen starters have set career highs in wins already, the only two not to do so were Burak and Rappo … 12 of Casey Kent’s 22 wins have come with bonus points … Mark Rappo went 12-1 in duals, outscoring opponents in team scoring, 42-3 … Micah Burak finished his career on home mats with a 25-4 record.
Results:
125: #14 Mark Rappo (Penn) def. Jacob Goodwin (DU), 15-7 Penn leads, 4-0
133: Jeff Canfora (Penn) def. Jordan Hart (DU), 10-2 Penn leads, 8-0
141: #9 C.J. Cobb (Penn) def. #19 Frank Cimato (DU), 4-1 Penn leads, 11-0
149: Andrew Lenzi (Penn) def. Josh Yurasits (DU), 11-0 Penn leads, 15-0
157: Troy Hernandez (Penn) def. Austin Sommer (DU), 3-2 Penn leads, 18-0
165: Casey Kent (Penn) def. Connor Moran (DU), 17-2 (7:00) Penn leads, 23-0
174: Ian Korb (Penn) def. Kevin Matyas (DU), 12-4 Penn leads, 27-0
184: Canaan Bethea (Penn) def. Brian Sternlieb (DU), 11-2 Penn leads, 31-0
197: #9 Micah Burak (Penn) def. #19 Brandon Palik (DU), 6-1 Penn leads, 34-0
285: Steven Graziano (Penn) def. Jon Max Wright (DU), 5-2 Penn leads, 37-0
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