BOSTON - The Boston University wrestling team finished its 2003-04 regular-season competition with a 37-6 win at Harvard University on Saturday, Feb. 21. The Terriers jumped out early on the Crimson to post their 12th win in their last 13 dual-match outings.
B.U. wraps up the regular season with a 15-3 record overall and an 7-2 Colonial Athletic Association mark. Harvard, which also finished its regular-season, fell to 1-14.
B.U. set the tone for the evening from the very first whistle as senior Jose Leon (Santa Ana, Calif.) jumped out to an early lead on Brent Kakesako at 125 lbs. Leon recorded eight points on near falls and was leading, 14-2, at the end of the first period. In the second period, Leon added another four points to take the victory by technical fall, 18-3, at the 4:05 mark. Leon's victory staked BU to 5-0 lead.
The Terriers extended the lead to 11-0 on the very next match. B.U. sophomore Mike Galorenzo (Oradell, N.J.) pinned Greg Cook at 133 lbs at the 2:59 mark to open up the team lead.
B.U. junior Joey Rivera (Stroudsburg, Pa.) was taken into overtime by the Crimson's Mike Baria. Rivera would prevail in the overtime, earning a two-point takedown half-way through the period.
Sophomore Zach Johns (Owings Mills, Md.) fought back from an early deficit to earn a 9-5 decision over Brandon Kaufmann at 157 lbs, raising the B.U. lead to 23-0.
With a major decision victory at 165 lbs., B.U. senior Leighton Brady (Tulsa, Okla.) locked up the match for the Terriers. Brady defeated Harvard's John Thomas Young, 14-5, to earn four team points and extend the lead to 27-0, and clinch the victory.
At 174 lbs., Harvard's Eddie Jones got the Crimson on the board with a 2-1 victory over senior Ben Schilens (Westlake, Ohio).
Freshman John DaCruz (Ludlow, Mass.) got the Terriers back on the winning track with a 9-1 major decision victory over Reggie Lee at 197 lbs.
In the heavyweight bout, Bode Ogunwole finished the competition on a strong note for the Crimson. Ogunwole defeated Terrier junior Courtney Howard (Sitka, Alaska), 6-2.
Harvard did not wrestle at the 149 lbs. and 184 lbs. weight classes, forfeiting both positions.
The Terriers are back in action on March 5-6 when they travel to the CAA Championship in Lawrenceville, N.J.
125 lbs. - (B) Jose Leon defeated (H) Brent Kakesako by technical fall, 18-3 at 4:05. 133 lbs. - (B) Mike Galorenzo defeated (H) Greg Cook by pin at 2:59. 141 lbs. - (B) Joey Rivera defeated (H) Mike Baria by decision, 3-1. 149 lbs. - (B) Chris Coppolo earned the victory by forfeit. 157 lbs. - (B) Zach Johns defeated (H) Brandon Kaufmann by decision, 9-5. 165 lbs. - (B) Leighton Brady defeated (H) John Thomas Young by major decision, 14-5. 174 lbs. - (H) Eddie Jones defeated (B) Ben Schilens by decision, 2-1. 184 lbs. - (B) Tom Sforza earned the victory by forfeit. 197 lbs. - (B) John DaCruz defeated (H) Reggie Lee by major decision, 9-1. HWT - (H) Bode Ogunwole defeated (B) Courtney Howard by decision, 6-2.
