Jan. 17, 2002
The Cleveland State wrestlers fought back a little too late in losing to #20 Pittsburgh, 19-16, tonight at Woodling Gymnasium. The Vikings grabbed the last three matches of the contest, but could not overcome the four they lost prior to that.
The match got off to a bad start for the Vikes, as heavyweight Russ Davie (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) dropped a tough match to Jacob Lininger, 5-2. However, the Mansueto twins opened the door for the CSU middleweights with two straight wins.
Rocco Mansueto's (Middletown, N.Y./Middletown) inside trip takedown in the second period was all he needed in defeating James Thornton, 3-1. At 133 pounds Phil Mansueto (Middletown, N.Y./Middletown) battled with Shawn Amistade all match. Stuck in a 1-1 tie, Mansueto won in sudden death when the referee signaled an illegal lock on Amistade.
Yet the Panthers came back hard against the Vikings in the next four bouts. In fact, CSU failed to get a takedown in the 141, 149, 157 and 165 matches. But the Vikes did not give in, attempting a late charge against the Panthers. 174-pounder Gerald Harris (Tulsa, Okla./East Central) looked quick in grabbing five single and double-leg takedowns to win, 11-4.
Sophomore Joe Phillips (Maple Heights, Ohio/Maple Heights) displayed his second big offensive match of the year in beating Rob Black, 18-4. Phillips pushed Black all over the mat in hitting seven takedowns. The second-year starter also added a three-point near-fall on a cross-face cradle.
In the final match #20 Stipe Miocic (Willowick, Ohio/Eastlake North) upset #18 David Sandberg, 3-2. Despite suffering from the flu most of the week, the sophomore hit Sandberg with a third period takedown to take the lead.
