Feb. 17, 2008

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LEWISBURG, Pa. - With the help of a pin by sophomore Shane Riccio (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills) at 174, the Bucknell wrestling team collected a 30-14 victory over American in its 2007-08 home finale on Sunday afternoon. The win elevates the Bison to 9-10-1 on the season and 4-3 in the EIWA, while the Eagles fall to 3-14 and 1-5 in the EIWA.

After two forfeits at heavyweight and 125 spotted Bucknell 12 points, sophomore David Marble (Harpursville, N.Y./Harpursville Central), ranked No. 18 in the latest InterMat/NWCA/NWMA Division I Individual Rankings, added to the Bison total with a 10-4 decision over Matt Mariacher at 133.

In the next bout, American managed to get on the board with a 12-3 major decision by 141-pounder Kyle Borshoff against sophomore Luke Chohany (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita).

Freshman Kevin LeValley (Hugo, Colo./Limon) then increased the Bison advantage to 20-4 with his technical fall 6:19 into the 149-pound match-up, 20-5, versus Chris Clarke.

The Eagles won the next two bouts, cutting their deficit to nine. Sophomore Brantley Hooks (Spartanburg, S.C./James F. Byrnes) dropped a 9-0 major decision to Christopher Stout at 157 and sophomore 19th-ranked Andy Rendos (Brockway, Pa./Brockway Area) suffered a 11-6 setback to No. 6 Mike Cannon at 165.

That would be as close at American would come, however, as Riccio sewed up the Bison victory by pinning Jonathon Powell 1:47 into the 174-pound bout. The win was Ricco's 14th straight in duals competition, moving him to 15-1 on the year (22-6 overall) and 6-0 in the EIWA.

Freshman David Thompson (West Liberty, Ohio/Graham Local) recorded the final points for Bucknell as the 184-pounder logged an 11-2 major decision over Brooks Keefer.

Andy Semple won the final bout of the afternoon for the Eagles, 5-2, against Bison sophomore 197-pounder Sean LoCurto (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City).

Bucknell will close out its dual meet schedule next Saturday, Feb. 23, when the squad will travel to Cornell for an EIWA match-up beginning at 3 p.m.