Spring Break
Grapplers set regional record, fall in NCAAs
Lanny Newton
Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: Sports
A school-record eight wrestlers placed in the East Regional hosted by Gardner-Webb, but only one qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
Dustin Porter moved on to St. Louis to compete in the tournament for the third time, but was given a tough draw despite being ranked 18th nationally. Porter was pinned in both of his matches.
"Dustin had wins over three of the guys who were in the round of 12, one round from being All-American," said Head Coach Scott Shipman.
"It shows he's good enough to be in the final mix, but Dustin as of right now has a few issues to address about his performances out there.
"We were picked sixth going in and to finish third it was one of those things where it was a good performance and it was a step in the right direction."
Porter, a junior, has qualified for the tournament every year of his collegiate career. In his first match he drew No.11 seed Zach Rey from Lehigh. Rey earned a quick takedown before getting the pin at the 40 second mark.
In the consolation match Porter faced Joe Fendone. In a virtual repeat of the first match, Fendone took down Porter and earned a pin at the 2:04 mark in the first period.
Gardner-Webb finished third in the regionals behind a first-place finish by Porter and second-place finishes by David Pelsang and Alex Piasecki.
Rob Tate and Matthias Piasecki took third while Cortney Roberts, Austin Reece and Thomas Knapp also scored for the Bulldogs, taking fourth.
Dustin Porter moved on to St. Louis to compete in the tournament for the third time, but was given a tough draw despite being ranked 18th nationally. Porter was pinned in both of his matches.
"Dustin had wins over three of the guys who were in the round of 12, one round from being All-American," said Head Coach Scott Shipman.
"It shows he's good enough to be in the final mix, but Dustin as of right now has a few issues to address about his performances out there.
"We were picked sixth going in and to finish third it was one of those things where it was a good performance and it was a step in the right direction."
Porter, a junior, has qualified for the tournament every year of his collegiate career. In his first match he drew No.11 seed Zach Rey from Lehigh. Rey earned a quick takedown before getting the pin at the 40 second mark.
In the consolation match Porter faced Joe Fendone. In a virtual repeat of the first match, Fendone took down Porter and earned a pin at the 2:04 mark in the first period.
Gardner-Webb finished third in the regionals behind a first-place finish by Porter and second-place finishes by David Pelsang and Alex Piasecki.
Rob Tate and Matthias Piasecki took third while Cortney Roberts, Austin Reece and Thomas Knapp also scored for the Bulldogs, taking fourth.
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