The top-ranked University of Minnesota wrestling team got off to an unexpected start, falling 18-17 in a heartbreaking match to No. 11 Hofstra, then rebounded to win their final three matches at the Northeast Duals in Albany, N.Y. The Golden Gophers defeated No. 12 Central Michigan (24-9), American (32-10) and No. 14 Pennsylvania (28-12) to close out the day.
Hofstra took six of 10 matches from the Gophers on its way to the dramatic upset. Minnesota fell behind early after losing a couple of close bouts at 125 and 133 pounds. Two matches later, top-ranked Dustin Schlatter gave Minnesota the lead with a dominating 17-0 tech fall over Mike Parziale, but it was the only lead the Gophers would see. The Pride rallied to win the next three matches and withheld a late Minnesota charge to secure the victory. Second-ranked Roger Kish downed No. 5 Joe Rovelli, 4-1, at 184 pounds to close the deficit to 15-11, but Chris Weidman closed out the match for Hofstra with an 11-8 come-from-behind victory at 197. Top-ranked heavyweight Cole Konrad was impressive in his season debut, pinning Matt Pollock in just 1:48, but it didn’t matter as the outcome had already been decided.
The Golden Gophers took out their frustration on their next three opponents, closing out the day with three straight victories. Any possibility of a second upset was erased early by the Gophers in their match against Central Michigan, as Minnesota won each of the first four matches. Jayson Ness posted an impressive 9-5 victory over No. 9 Luke Smith to get things started for the Gophers, and victories by true freshman Mike Thorn, Manuel Rivera and Schlatter quickly dashed CMU’s hopes.
The Gophers rolled to a 32-10 victory over American in their third match of the day. Ness continued an impressive day at 125 pounds with a convincing 16-2 major decision over Jasen Borshoff. Sophomores Tyler Safratowich and Yura Malamura were both impressive in posting tech falls to help the Minnesota cause. Malamura’s victory was his first as a Gopher.
Minnesota wrapped up the event with a 28-12 victory over No. 14 Penn. Ness finished his productive day with a 17-5 major decision over Matt Eveleth, and Thorn held his own against top-ranked Matt Valenti at 133. Schlatter posted his second unscathed tech fall of the day with a 15-0 victory over Rob Hitschler in 3:07.
The Golden Gophers will travel to Northern Colorado next Friday, Dec. 1 before opening their home schedule against defending national champion Oklahoma State on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
NORTHEAST DUALS
#11 Hofstra 18, #1 Minnesota 17
125 – #20 Dave Tomasette (HOF) dec. #19 Jayson Ness (MINN), 12-9
133 – Lou Ruggirello (HOF) dec. Mike Thorn (MINN), 5-3
141 – #10 Manuel Rivera (MINN) dec. #14 Charles Griffin (HOF), 5-1
149 – #1 Dustin Schlatter (MINN) tech. fall Mike Parziale (HOF), 17-0, 3:38
157 – #12 James Strouse (HOF) dec. #6 C.P. Schlatter (MINN), 4-2 OT
165 – #3 Mike Patrovich (HOF) dec. Jeremy Larson (MINN), 8-5
174 – Alton Lucas (HOF) dec. #12 Gabriel Dretsch (MINN), 5-3
184 – #2 Roger Kish (MINN) dec. #5 Joe Rovelli (HOF), 4-1
197 – #6 Chris Weidman (HOF) dec. Yura Malamura (MINN), 11-8
Hwt – #1 Cole Konrad (MINN) pinned Matt Pollock (HOF), 1:48
#1 Minnesota 24, #12 Central Michigan 9
125 – #19 Jayson Ness (MINN) dec. #9 Luke Smith (CMU), 9-5
133 – Mike Thorn (MINN) pinned Matt Steintrager (CMU), 1:41
141 – #10 Manuel Rivera (MINN) dec. Eric Kruger (CMU), 13-7
149 – #1 Dustin Schlatter (MINN) dec. Brandon Carter (CMU), 6-1
157 – #19 Trevor Stewart (CMU) dec. Tyler Safratowich (MINN), 7-4
165 – Jeremy Larson (MINN) dec. Mike Miller (CMU), 5-2
174 – #15 Brandon Sinnott (CMU) dec. #12 Gabriel Dretsch (MINN), 4-2 OT
184 – #2 Roger Kish (MINN) dec. #7 Christian Sinnott (CMU), 3-2
197 – #7 Wynn Michalak (CMU) maj. dec. Justin Bronson (MINN), 8-0
Hwt – #1 Cole Konrad (MINN) dec. #15 Bubba Gritter (CMU), 2-0
#1 Minnesota 32, American 10
125 – #19 Jayson Ness (MINN) maj. dec. Jasen Borshoff (AU), 16-2
133 – Jordan Lipp (AU) dec Mike Thorn (MINN), 7-3
141 – #10 Manuel Rivera (MINN) dec. Kyle Borshoff (AU), 3-1
149 – #1 Dustin Schlatter (MINN) won by forfeit
157 – Tyler Safratowich (MINN) tech. fall Jimmy Pepper (AU), 2:54
165 – Mike Cannon (AU) dec. Matt Everson (MINN), 9-4
174 – #12 Gabriel Dretsch (MINN) dec. Rudy Rueda (AU), 12-10
184 – #2 Roger Kish (MINN) pinned Anthony Fuschino (AU), 1:42
197 – Yura Malamura (MINN) tech. fall Dwayne Hash-Barberis (AU), 16-1, 4:47
Hwt – #9 Adam LoPiccolo (AU) maj. dec. Justin Bronson (MINN), 9-1
#1 Minnesota 28, #14 Penn 12
125 – #19 Jayson Ness (MINN) maj. dec. Matt Eveleth (PENN), 17-5
133 – #1 Matt Valenti (PENN) dec. Mike Thorn (MINN), 6-2
141 – #10 Manuel Rivera (MINN) dec. #19 Cesar Grajales (PENN), 3-2
149 – #1 Dustin Schlatter (MINN) tech. fall Rob Hitschler (PENN), 15-0, 3:07
157 – #4 Matt Dragon (PENN) over #6 C.P. Schlatter (MINN) by default
165 – Jeremy Larson (MINN) dec. Zach Shanaman (PENN), 8-4
174 – #2 Matt Herrington (PENN) dec. #12 Gabriel Dretsch (MINN), 10-7
184 – #2 Roger Kish (MINN) maj. dec. Lior Zamir (PENN), 18-7
197 – Yura Malamura (MINN) dec. Jack Sullivan (PENN), 8-1
Hwt – #1 Cole Konrad (MINN) pinned Benjamin Reiter (PENN), 5:43
