Senior Mike Patterson needed just 24 seconds to pin American University’s Brooks Keefer in the heavyweight, securing the Binghamton University wrestling team’s win on senior night at the West Gym.
The Bearcats defeated American 26-16 in their final home match of the season, bringing them to 13-11 in duals and securing a winning season with just one meet left before the Colonial Athletic Association championship. The Bearcats tied the 1973-74 squad for the second most dual wins in program history.
“It was a great way to finish up at home,” Patterson said. “The coaches here have been great to me and I know the program’s in great hands, it’s come so far.”
Junior Nate Patterson dominated, posting a 13-0 win over Christopher Stout in the 157-pound class. “Nate Patterson dominated again,” Popolizio. “He’s a great wrestler.”
Leading 2-0, Nate Patterson pulled away in the second period with a reversal and two near falls to take a 9-0 lead.
Patterson has 18 dual meet wins on the year and 40 for his career. He is one win shy of the school’s Division I record, set by 2003 graduate Joe Privitere.
With BU leading 11-10, 174-pound sophomore Josh Patterson and 184-pound junior Anthony Esposito posted consecutive wins to give the Bearcats a 20-10 lead. Josh Patterson improved to 14-2 in dual meets with his first period pin over Jonathon Powell.
Freshman Tyler Malmberg (125 pounds) put BU up 4-0 with his major decision victory over Jasen Borshoff. Malmberg put Borshoff on his back seconds into the match and went on to defeat Borshoff 15-7.
Senior Kyle Fried (149 pounds), who is currently ranked 18th in the nation, improved to 16-1 in duals with his win. Fried used five takedowns to post a 12-5 victory over Chris Clarke.
The Bearcats final dual meet is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Buffalo.
I’m coming home again: American senior Josh Glenn, a Johnson City High School graduate and the nation’s defending national champion and top-ranked 197-pound collegiate wrestler, received a standing ovation after his second-period pin of BU’s Corey Waite. He signed a slew of autographs after the match.