DaCruz Shines As Terrier Wrestlers Take Three At CAA Duals
January 22, 2005 | Men's Wrestling
FAIRFAX, Va. - The annual Colonial Athletic Association Duals concluded Saturday, Jan. 22 at George Mason University's Fieldhouse. Sophomore John DaCruz (Ludlow, Mass.) recorded four victories at 197, all by pinfall.
DaCruz is now 7-0 in his two seasons at the CAA Duals. All seven of his victories have come by way of the pin.
B.U. won three of its four matches with victories over James Madison, host George Mason, and Campbell.
In addition to DaCruz, three other Terriers won each of their four matches. Junior Justin Blumenthal (Madison, Wis.) at 157 (three wins) and 165 (one win), senior Rayes Gonzales (Las Vegas, Nev.) at 149, and senior heavyweight Courtney Howard (Sitka, Alaska) also won four times.
In round one on Friday night, B.U. easily handled James Madison, 39-3. The match featured two Terrier wrestlers pinning their opponents, two earning wins by technical fall, and another two taking their matches by major decision.
Old Dominion was the only team to defeat B.U. at the Duals, taking the Terriers down in a tight 20-18 match on Saturday. The Terriers took an 18-6 lead after a win by fall by DaCruz at 197, but the Monarchs won the final three bouts, including a win by fall at 133 to record the two-point win.
The Terriers bounced back in round four on Saturday, defeating host George Mason, 27-13. DaCruz earned his third pin in three matches, and junior Zach Johns (Owings Mills, Md.) recorded his second pin in as many matches to help the Terriers to the victory. Rivera also won by pin.
B.U. wrapped up dual-match competition with a 41-9 win over Campbell on Saturday afternoon. The match featured three Terrier wins via forfeit, but DaCruz continued his excellent meet, posting his fourth pin of the competition. Blumenthal, at 165, and Howard also recorded pins in the win.
Overall school performances were as follows: B.U. (3-1), Campbell (1-4), Drexel (3-0), George Mason (2-2), James Madison (1-3), Old Dominion (4-1), Rider (3-1), Sacred Heart (2-2), Wagner (0-5).
B.U. next competes at Drexel on Friday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.
2005 CAA Duals Friday, Jan. 21 Round 1 - B.U. 39, James Madison 3 Saturday, Jan. 22 Round 3 - Old Dominion 20, B.U. 18 Round 4 - B.U. 27, George Mason 13 Round 5 - B.U. 41, Campbell 9
Boston University 39, James Madison 3 149 - Rayes Gonzales (BU) tech fall Brandon Moore, 23-7 157 - Justin Blumenthal (BU) dec. Derick Schoenly, 14-7 165 - Zach Johns (BU) pin Aaron Swift, 4:43 174 - Brian Lambert (JMU) dec. Warren Haines, 6-0 184 - Tom Sforza (BU) dec. Jason Chalfant, 3-1, ot 197 - John DaCruz (BU) pin Zach Winfrey, 2:22 285 - Courtney Howard (BU) dec. Chris Cvitan, 10-3 125 - Michael Galorenzo (BU) maj. dec. Louie Sweet, 16-5 133 - Joe Whitaker (BU) maj. dec. Zach Peterson, 12-3 141 - Joey Rivera (BU) tech. Fall Brian Kibler, 24-6
Old Dominion 20, Boston University 18 149 - Rayes Gonzales (BU) dec. Hunter Davenport, 6-1 157 - Justin Blumenthal (BU) dec. Nick Pullano, 6-3 165 - Robby Gosnell (ODU) dec. Zach Johns, 2-1 174 - John Adams (ODU) dec. Jason Bakanowski, 11-6 184 - Tom Sforza (BU) dec. Adam Wright, 10-7 197 - John DaCruz (BU) pin Andrew Jordan, 2:14 285 - Courtney Howard (BU) dec. John Dolinda, 5-2 125 - Christian Staylor (ODU) tech. fall Michael Galorenzo, 17-1 133 - B.J. Compton (ODU) pin Joe Whitaker, 3:37 141 - Shanon Slack (ODU) dec. Joey Rivera, 3-2
Boston University 27, George Mason 13 149 - Rayes Gonzales (BU) dec. Robert Henry, 3-0 157 - Justin Blumenthal (BU) dec. Brian Smith, 10-7 165 - Zach Johns (BU) pin Sean Grant, 3:18 174 - Nick Webster (GMU) dec. Jason Bakanowski, 1-0 184 - Jim Martin (GMU) dec. Warren Haines, 4-0 197 - John DaCruz (BU) pin Harry Zander, 2:22 285 - Courtney Howard (BU) dec. Joel Caruso, 4-3 125 - Joe Coughlin (GMU) dec. Michael Galorenzo, 14-10 133 - David Emison (GMU) maj. dec. Brett Frimer, 15-7 141 - Joseph Rivera (BU) pin Jay Chichester, 0:43
Boston University 41, Campbell 9 149 - Rayes Gonzales (BU) wins forf. 157 - Christopher Coppolo (BU) wins forf. 165 - Justin Blumenthal (BU) pin Casey Galligan, 2:41 174 - Brian Hocum (C) dec. Jason Bakanowski, 7-4 184 - Lantz Nixon (C) wins forf. 197 - John DaCruz (BU) pin Willy Johnson, 2:18 285 - Courtney Howard (BU) pin Pruitt Rainey, 1:19 125 - Michael Galorenzo (BU) wins forf. 133 - Brett Frimer (BU) dec. Caleb Lesnoff, 13-7 141 - David Swofford (BU) dec. Elliot Berger, 13-7
