"We knew they were going to come out and battle real hard," Coach Craig Turnbull said. "Every point was going to be important. We saved one point at 125, one point at 157 and Donnie (Jones) scored a major at 165. Three points was the difference of the match. We came down to several overtime matches.
"I felt good about how (David) Jauregui wrestled and how competitive we stayed through, even in losses. We battled to try and save points for the team. Even in a loss, Colin (Johnston) was able to figure out a fifth-year senior (Ricky Donald). He battled to put himself in a position to win, but it just didn't happen. I think all the way through, we responded well."
The Mountaineers earned their first three points of the night when 19th-ranked Jauregui recorded a 4-2 victory in the second sudden victory period at 149 pounds. Because of his endurance, the Santa Ana, Calif., native was able to compete at full strength, even wrestling into the fourth overtime session. Wearing down his opponent, George Hickman, Jauregui's takedown in the fourth extra session earned him the win, improving to 7-0 in dual meets.
After a loss at 157 pounds, the Mountaineers began the comeback.
Redshirt-junior Jones, slated to take on No. 17-ranked Ricky Schmelyun at 165 pounds, began the streak despite the difficult task at-hand. Jones, who prevented Schmelyun from earning any offensive points, registered the first takedown in the first period. In the second session, Jones continued to dominate. Electing to choose neutral, Jones earned his second takedown just moments into the second period. After conceding an escape point, Jones shot at Schmelyun's right leg for his third takedown of the match to lead 6-2 after two periods. After getting a reversal and another point with more than four minutes of riding time, Jones took the 9-1 major decision to bring WVU within nine, still down 16-7.
Ranked No. 13 nationally at 174 pounds, fifth-year senior Kurt Brenner continued WVU's battle from behind. Through the first three periods, Brenner was knotted with Nate Graham at one apiece. After neither wrestler scored in the first overtime session, Brenner earned a stalling point for the 2-1 decision.
The momentum continued with 184-pounder Lance Bryson. With 17 seconds remaining in the first period, Bryson earned the first offensive points of the bout with a two-point takedown. Bryson earned another takedown close to the end of the period, this one coming with 15 seconds left in the period. Bryson scored three more points in the final period for the 7-3 decision over Bloomsburg's Brian Shaw.
Now down just three team points, 16-13, the Mountaineers relied on sophomore 197-pounder Kyle Rooney's match against Jesse Hasseman. Despite Hasseman getting the first takedown, Rooney earned an escape and went on a tear. The Cincinnati, Ohio native countered with a takedown of his own and then nearly pinned Hasseman, but was able to earn three near fall points and accumulated 1:18 worth of riding time in the first period alone. Rooney's first period alone was too much as he went on to take a 9-6 decision, tying the team score at 16 apiece.
The deciding factor now rested on the shoulders of fifth-year senior heavyweight Dustin Rogers and he knew he needed to win. Rogers jumped ahead 2-0 and never looked back. After earning the entire two minutes worth of riding time in the second period and five points in the third period, Rogers took the 8-1 decision, giving WVU the 19-16 victory.
"We seem to be young enough that we're a little inconsistent with our performances," Turnbull added. "Some days, I feel real good about them, then other days I don't. We're learning. Guys are competing hard. It was a very good win for us."
WVU returns to the mat on Saturday, Jan. 24, to face EWL-foe Clarion at 7 p.m. at W.S Tippin Gymnasium.
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