University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Day One of NCAA Wrestling Championships
3/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
LIVE SCORING
UPDATED
NCAA BRACKET
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - At the first day of the 2009 NCAA Wrestling Championship, Northern Colorado had all three wrestlers in action, but unfortunately Tony Mustari, Mitchell Polkowske and Justin Gaethje all lost both matches to conclude the 2009 wrestling season.
Junior 125-pounder Tony Mustari dropped his opening round match to fourth-seeded Brandon Precin of Northwestern, 5-2. There was no scoring in the first period, but Precin got on the board first with a three-point near fall in the second. Mustari got a reversal as the clock wound down in the second period. Precin then added an escape in the third period and a point for riding time for the win.
In the consolation second round against Marcos Orozco of UC Davis, Mustari was outscored 7-0 in the first period as Orozco tallied a takedown, two-point near fall and a three-point near fall as time expired. Orzoco chose down to start the second period and promptly recorded an escape and then Mustari, 10 seconds in, recorded a takedown for the 8-2 tally and rode out the remainder of the period. In the third and final stanza, Orozco scored three quick points, two off caution points and an escape. Mustari tallied another takedown to make the score 11-4 for the final and Mustari ends his season with a 26-10 record.
The second match of the day for the Bears saw freshman 149-pounder Mitchell Polkowske take on Buffalo freshman Desmond Green. In the first period, Green got on the board first with a takedown and Polkowske escaped for the 2-1 score at the end of one. Polkowske chose down to start the second and got a quick escape to knot the tally at 2-2 for the only score in the period. Green chose down to start the third and got a late escape for the 3-2 decison.
Polkowske faced Penn's Cesar Grajales, ranked 10 in the InterMat Coaches poll, in consolation round two. Grajales tallied a takedown and three-point near fall, while Polkowske got an escape late in the first period for the 5-1 score. Grajales chose down in the second period and 30 seconds in Grajales got free for the only points and a 6-1 tally. Grajales scored another takedown and Polkowske escaped, but Grajales tallied another takedown and got a riding time point for the 11-2 major decision. Polkowske ends his tremendous freshman season 28-8.
Sophomore 157-pounder Justin Gaethje drew 12th-ranked Robert Erisman of Oklahoma State in the first round. Gaethje scored first with a takedown and Erisman cut the lead to one with an escape in the first period. Gaethje chose down to start the second frame and Erisman tallied a two-point near fall to take the 3-2 advantage. Another two-point near fall extended Erisman's lead to 5-2 in the second period. At the beginning of the third stanza, Erisman got a reversal after choosing down to push the lead to 7-2. Gaethje scored an escape and the riding time made the final 8-3.
In the consolation second round, Gaethje faced 22nd ranked Michael Kessler of Rider. There was a flurry of scoring in the first period as Kessler tallied two takedowns and an escape, while Gaethje had two escapes and a takedown for the 5-4 score. In the second stanza, Kessler chose down and recorded a reversal, Gaethje escaped, was taken down and escaped to make the score 8-4 after two. Gaethje chose down and escaped to start the third period, but was again taken down for the 10-5 score. He escaped once more to close within four, 10-6, but the riding time made the final 11-6. Gaethje finished his sophomore season with a 14-6 record.
Tony Mustari, 125 Pounds
First Round: #4 Brandon Precin, Northwestern dec. Mustari,
5-2
Consolation Second Round: Marcos Orozco, UC Davis dec. Mustari,
11-4
Mitchell Polkwoske, 149 Pounds
First Round: Desmond Green, Buffalo dec. Polkowske,
3-2
Consolation Second Round: #10 Cesar Grajales, Penn MD Polkowske,
11-2
Justin Gaethje, 157 Pounds
First Round: #12 Robert Erisman, Oklahoma State dec.
Gaethje, 8-3
Consolation Second Round: #22 Michael Kessler, Rider dec. Gaethje,
11-6
