Grapplers Finish 1-2 At Lone Stars After Upset of Harvard Earlier

Jan. 6, 2007

SOUTH GRAND PRARIE, Texas - After upsetting No. 22 Harvard earlier in the day, the University of Northern Colorado wrestling team picked up another win over Brown and dropped duals to No. 15 Wisconsin and North Carolina.

Northern Colorado (2-4) was led by sophomore 141-pounder Kenny Hashimoto's dazzling performance. Hashimoto went 4-0 with two pins on the day. He picked up wins over Harvard's 10th-ranked Max Meltzer, Wisconsin's 16th-ranked Kyle Ruschell, North Carolina's Mike Rappo and Brown's Mike Savino.

The Bears' 26-18 win over Brown was their last dual of the day. Redshirt freshman 125-pounder Tony Mustari, who finished 2-2 on the day, picked up an 11-4 decision over Brown's Greg Einfrank.

Hashimoto's pin of Savino at 4:21 helped extend Northern Colorado's lead to 9-6. The Bears then ripped off three straight wins to take a 21-6 lead. Junior 149-pounder Richard Lohr got the streak started with his 5-2 decision over Brown's Bryan Tracy. Lohr was followed by senior 157-pounder Luke Salazar, who scored a 6-1 decision over Tom Fazio.

Sophomore Devan Lewis, who finished 3-1 on the day, kept the momentum going with a pin of David Saadeh at 1:48.

Junior Shawn Hart, who normally wrestles at 174, stepped up to 197 and scored a 16-0 technical fall over Brown's Larry Otsuka to seal the win for the Bears.

Northern Colorado had a tough time against the UW Badgers in a 29-10 loss, as only Hashimoto, Lewis and junior heavyweight Reece Hopkin picked up wins.

Things weren't any easier against North Carolina, as Hashimoto, Salazar and sophomore Ryan Johnson picked up victories in a 26-13 loss.

The Bears will look to build upon their solid outing when they kick off conference competition in their inaugural Western Wrestling Conference dual against Utah Valley State at 7 p.m. next Saturday in Orem, Utah.