Dec. 7, 2001
The Cleveland State wrestling squad lost a heartbreaker to #14 Edinboro, falling 18-15 in a heated contest at Woodling Gymnasium. The Vikings, having lost 11 consecutive years to Edinboro, were poised for a big win after gaining a 9-0 lead early on.
The Vikes grabbed the first bout of the match due to a lot of heart from senior co-captain Nick Boucher (Sunfield Mich./Lakewood). The 141-pounder was behind 5-4 in the second period when he injured his left ankle. Refusing to give up, Boucher limped through the rest of the match. In the third period he reversed on Edinboro's Chad Caros to take the lead, 6-5. Boucher added riding time to win, 7-5.
In the second match Anthony Coleman (Bellevue, Ohio/Bellevue) got off to a quick start with a double-leg takedown into a three-point near fall. In the second period the sophomore moved into position for another takedown, but Edinboro's Charlie Soto put himself in a bad defensive spot. With Soto upside down and behind him, Coleman leaned back and grabbed the pin at 4:40.
But the momentum quickly shifted to the Scots. Edinboro won the next five matches, all by decision. #19 Gerald Harris (Tulsa, Okla./East Central) lost a close battle with the nation's #1 ranked 174-pounder, Josh Koscheck. The reigning NCAA Champion could only muster one takedown and two escapes in a 4-0 victory.
Heavyweight Russ Davie (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) put the Vikings in good position to grab an upset with a 3-0 shutout over Josh Pearce. The win made the score 15-12 in favor of Edinboro with two matches left. But Edinboro freshman Shawn Bunch quickly stunned the home crowd. An ailing #13 ranked Rocco Mansueto (Middletown, N.Y./Middletown) did not have the speed CSU is accustomed to seeing from him. Bunch took advantage and grabbed four takedowns to win, 10-3.
The final bout of the match proved to be just as exciting as the rest of the night. Junior Phil Mansueto (Middletown, N.Y./Middletown) faced #11 ranked Cory Ace. Both wrestlers battled each other to 4-4 tie after regulation. In the one-minute overtime Mansueto tried to grab a takedown, knowing Ace would have the choice in the tiebreaker. However, Ace held Mansueto in check and chose down in the 30-second sudden death. But CSU's veteran 133-pounder was able to ride out Ace for the 4-4-tiebreak win.
