ITHACA, N.Y. – From cradles to cartwheels and headlocks to handstands, the annual combined Rumble and Tumble event between Ithaca and Cortland featured some of the best wrestlers and gymnasts in the nation.
A nailbiter on the mat stole the show as Ithaca (14-3) narrowly escaped Cortland (6-8), 23-18, for the Bombers sixth consecutive win over the Red Dragons. Cortland was without their two best wrestlers. Ranked #12 in the nation at 133 pounds, J.C. Cardenas was out due to injury and #15 at 197 pounds, Demetrius Henry was out with an illness.
The 159 pounders opened up the night and it was all Bombers early. Ithaca won three decisions to start, leading 9-0 and quickly extended that lead out to 18-4. Senior Brian Torres was Cortland’s only win in the first six matches of the night, registering a 12-3 major decision. Torres is currently ranked fourth in the NWCA Midwest Region.
But then came the strength of the Cortland lineup, the lightweights. Sophomore Cody Merwin was awarded a forfeit at 125 pounds and senior Richard Munoz delivered a 10-2 major decision to close the gap from 18-4 to 18-14 in just two matches.
After senior Vinnie Santilli won his match 12-4 at 141 pounds, the dual was all knotted up 18-18. The entire meet came down to the 149 pound matchup between nationally ranked #11 senior Matthew Beyer and #19 freshman Angelo Centrone.
The freshman Centrone was leading 9-5 late in the 3rd period when Beyer finished a quick takedown and pin with only 22 seconds remaining in the match to give Ithaca the win.
Cortland travels to Allentown, Pennsylvania on Sunday the 19th for the Muhlenburg Mideast Futures Tournament before NCAA Mideast Regionals start up on February 24th.