EIWA Tournament Underway as Big Red surges

[ngineer]

Cornell appears to have the team title locked up after the first two sessions completed this evening. Cornell, Lehigh and Rutgers all had 7 semi-finalists and 3 in consolations heading into the second session. However, Lehigh suffered two late upsets at 141 and 165 as well as two other losses to higher seeded wrestlers, to end up with only 3 finalists Saturday evening. Mountain Hawks still have 5 wrestlers in consolations and have good shot to finish second. Rutgers an American have also made some noise..
Super frosh Cagnina at 133 has soared into the finals with a big "upset" of formerly #5 Peterkin of Penn. Cagnina beat Peterkin two weeks ago in the dual, 5-4, but many felt that a fluke. To show it wasn't, Cags beat Peterkin, again, in the semis with a gutsy takedown in the last 30 seconds. Both Robert "The Vermonster" Hamlin and #1 Zach Rey showed dominance in their respective weight classes of 184 and 285. Joe Kennedy at 197 took #1 Simaz of Cornell into overtime, but lost in the tie-breaker.
The big upsets occured at 141, where frosh Dutton was leading 3-1 in the third period in the semis when suddenly taken down in a headlock and pinned. Hatchett at 165 was also leading in the third and got taken down to his back to end up losing 6-4.
With the new qualifying methods, Lehigh still hoping to send 7 to NCAAs...we shall see how the consy placements go Sunday.

[ngineer]

Cornell dominated as expected with 6 finalists and scoring 173 points to second place Lehigh's 119. Robert Hamlin was Lehigh's sole EIWA champ at 184 as Zach Rey was 'upset' at 285 by the #2 seed (and #3 ranked nationally, Flores) in a wild 4-2 decision in overtime tie breaker. It was Rey's first loss of the year and should not effect his #1 seed at the NCAA. Lehigh will be sending at least 7 to Nationals with fingers crossed on an 8th (Hatchett at 165) who medically forfeited his last two consolation bouts. Lehigh also had to forfeit in the finals at 133 by Fr.Cagnina (illness) and 174 by Meys (back injury). Mountain Hawks have to regroup, heal up and recharge over the next ten days if they hope to make a run at a Top Ten finish at NCAA.

[MrTitleist]

I assume you took in all of the action live? I got to see the WWC finals live on Air Force's website, who streamed it. AFA's VonOhlen won at 141.. 16-0 tech fall in the first period.. with time to spare. It was a HUGE effort.. it blew my mind to see someone tech fall'ed that fast in a championship match.

[ngineer]

Yes, at tech fall in the first period is very rare. I attended all sessions of the EIWA at Bucknell. Great little facility (4,000 cap) and good sight lines from any location. Lehigh finds out tonight if Hatchett gets a bid to Nationals. If so, that would give us 8 qualifiers, although there is concern as to whether Meys at 174 will be able to compete. Injured back in sem-consolation and forfeited third place.
The East his going to make a lot of noise at this year's NCAA's: Cornell, Penn State, Lehigh, Rutgers and American all have legitimate shots for top 15, with CU and PSU having shots at a team title. We're hoping for a Top Ten finish if everyone is healthy.