Binghamton University junior wrestler Josh Patterson, who is currently ranked eighth in the nation at 184 pounds, broke the school record for pins as the Bearcats (12-12) defeated Sacred Heart (5-8), 31-18, for their third consecutive victory.
The Bearcats’ win improves their conference record to 3-4 and guarantees a top five finish in the CAA. According to BU head coach Pat Popolizio, the team “had a high level of intensity.”
Sacred Heart took a 3-0 lead following sophomore Anthony Priore’s 7-5 decision over Bearcat freshman Matt Kaylor. Senior Nate Patterson followed that match with a win, starting a streak of five consecutive wins for the Bearcats. The first period pin of freshman Jonathon Rizzitello came at 2:34.
A 14-1 major decision win by sophomore Ryan McGarity over Sacred Heart junior Michael Hartman put Binghamton up 10-3.
Patterson’s pin of Brandon Lapp, his 18th of the season, put Binghamton up 22-3 and came at 1:09 in the first period.
“His confidence is amazing,” Popolizio said. “He goes out there knowing he is better, and that wins a lot of matches.”
The win improved Patterson’s record on the season to 35-4.
At 197 pounds, junior Corey Waite used two first period takedowns to defeat sophomore Ricky Eichenlaub 11-6, and put the Bearcats up 25-3.
Sophomore Tyler Malmberg sealed the overall win for the Bearcats in the 125-pound division with his second period pin of Michael Impellizeri. Malmberg’s win drew praise from his coach.
“This was [Malmberg] at his best,” Popolizio said.
The Bearcats will be in action again this Sunday when they head to Oklahoma State to take on the No. 15 Cowboys and the University of Wyoming. Oklahoma State is the eighth team ranked in the Top 25 nationally (USA Today/InterMat/NWCA Coaches Poll) on the Bearcats’ schedule.