It takes a lot of strength to win a wrestling match, but as Josh Patterson found out, it takes even more to lose. Suffering defeats in both matches in which he partook, the 174-pound freshman failed to place at the NCAA Championship this past Thursday at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan.
Accompanied by head coach Pat Popolizio, assistant coach Dennis Papadatos and various teammates, including his brother and training partner, Nate, Josh headed to the mat with high hopes. Following a season in which he garnered attention from wrestling enthusiasts around the country as a result of his 27-9 record, Patterson expected to show that Binghamton wrestling was just as powerful as any other Division I team represented at the tournament.
Facing Matthew Maciag of Wisconsin in the first round, Patterson stood his ground through the first period, trailing just 4-3. From that point, Maciag took complete control and ended up scoring 13 points against Patterson, the most by any opponent this season. Patterson was able to attain six points thanks to two reversals, an escape and a point that was awarded to him due to Maciag being called for stalling. The final score of 13-6 in favor of Maciag forced Patterson into the wrestlebacks, where he was faced with the task of salvaging his season against Daniel Burke of Northern Illinois.
In that match, it seemed that Patterson was back on track with a takedown in the first period and a 5-2 lead. The lead lasted until late into the third period, when Burke stole the match with a late takedown and took the 9-7 victory.
Despite the disappointment of failing to place at the championship, this season was by and large a successful one for Patterson who, as a freshman, still has plenty of time for improvement. Popolizio is certain that the 18-year-old will be able to rebound from the frustration of losing this year’s NCAA matches.
‘I know this is going to motivate him for this whole off-season,’ Popolizio said. ‘The first year is always the toughest. After that you know what to expect and what it takes to win. It’s going to light a fire under him and keep him motivated during the off-season and until November.’
Although the actual matches are over, the preparation for the upcoming season has just begun, with Binghamton primed to show their rivals in the CAA that they are not content with being a .500 team.
‘We’re going to train just like any big time program in the country, all year round, from now until the season starts in November,’ Popolizio said.
By taking along other members of the wrestling squad to Michigan, Popolizio intended to show them what it takes to compete in a big-time match and how to prepare themselves for the future.
‘I expect to have four or five guys wrestling in that tournament next year,’ said the first-year head coach. ‘The tournament was an eye-opener, not just for [Josh Patterson], but for the guys who went out there to watch.
‘It’s not that much different than what we’re doing here. It’s just a matter of the guys believing in themselves.’