The College's wrestling team won the 24th Annual Ithaca College Invitational over the weekend and showed plenty of stamina. Ranked No. 19 in the Brute-adidas National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III preseason poll, the Lions overcame a 10-point deficit heading into the second day of the invitational and had three Lions win their respective weight classes.
"I thought we were in better shape than most of the teams up there," head coach David Icenhower said.
With preseason conditioning, buddy carrying and weight room training over the week, the Lions were in shape to wear down opponents and captured the 17-team tournament title. The College finished with 145.5 points while Johnson and Wales University placed second with 136.5. SUNY-Cortland finished in third with 135 points.
"I think people assumed this was a rebuilding year for us and we're not quite ready to lay down yet," Icenhower said. "We're still going to be a strong national team. You just can't be good. You got to believe that you're good. They have to have confidence and do what they are capable of doing."
Junior Ray Sarinelli, senior Joey Galante and sophomore Greg Osgoodby were all champions in their respective weight classes.
In the 133-pound championship, Sarinelli upset top-seeded All-American Sean Cullen of Lycoming College by the count of 5-3. Sarinelli went 5-0 during the tournament. He advanced to the finals match with an 8-3 win over Trevor Vernon of Roger Williams University, after advancing to the semifinals with a 14-6 domination over freshman Chad Wionwich of Ithaca College on Saturday.
"Going into the finals (Icenhower) told me a little bit about the guy I was wrestling, and that (Icenhower) knew I could take him late in the match," Sarinelli said. "He told me to wrestle hard the whole match and wear my opponent down."
Galante, the top seed in the 157-pound weight class, beat senior Mark DeCiccio of Springfield College 11-7 for the title. The Lions captain, ranked eighth nationally in his weight class, beat fourth-seeded sophomore Andrew Goldstein of Gettysburg College 7-2 to head to the finals. Galante swept the opening day rounds by going 3-0 on his way to the semis.
Osgoodby waved goodbye to top-seeded junior Jacob Tyler of Springfield after pinning him in 3:19 for the 174-pound championships. Osgoodby posted a 4-2 win in the semifinals against freshman Jerome Owens of Johnson and Wales University.
"Coach Ice told me I was in better shape then my opponent and to go out, set a tone and wear him down and after I (wear) him down ... my shots will be there to take," Osgoodby said.
Lions senior Mike Guenther advanced to the finals but gave way to top-seeded sophomore Steve Martel of Johnson and Wales by injury default.
Guenther advanced to the finals with a 9-3 win over junior Jared Duffy of Centenary College and finished the day with a 5-0 decision over freshman Mike Ciaburri of Cortland.
Junior Lenny Goduto lost 3-1 in the 149-pound semifinals against Gene Kobilansky. Goduto finished in sixth as he opened up the tournament with a 17-0 shutout and a 16-4 second round victory. Goduto then added a 9-2 victory over senior Chris Wells of Johnson and Wales.
Contributing to the Lions' victory were freshman Dan Dicolo at 157 pounds, junior Jim Tomczuk at 184 and junior Steve Carbone at heavyweight, as each Lions grappler placed third. Freshman Tyler Branham came in fifth at 141 pounds.
"We had eight guys place," Icenhower said. "I thought most of our guys overachieved this weekend tremendously."
Lions wrestling action continues on Friday, Nov. 10 in a pair of dual meets. The College visits Hunter College at 4 p.m., and then will travel to take on New York University at 7 p.m.
