HUNTINGTON, WV-Bloomsburg University senior Matt Moley (Phoenixville, Spring-Ford) repeated as 157-pound champion at the 2010 Eastern Wrestling Championships on Sunday to help the Huskies to a fourth-place finish. The Huskies finished with 84.5 points with Edinboro winning the team title.
Moley, who was last year's Outstanding Wrestler, opened the day with a 16-0 win by technical fall over Correy Carlo of Cleveland State. In the semi-final round Moley defeated Donnie Tasser of Pitt, 18-7, to reach the title match for the third straight year. In the finals Moley faced Hadley Harrison of Clarion and posted a 13-3 win. Moley is now 25-3 on the season and 122-37 for his career. He is now tied with George Carter for third place all-time in victories at Bloomsburg.
At 174 pounds Nate Graham (Selkirk, NY, Ravena) finished second for the Huskies. Graham opened the day with a 7-1 win over Derek Caldwell of Lock Haven, then, posted a 3-2 win over Dave Sullivan of Pitt in the semi-finals. In the finals Graham lost to Phil Moricone of Edinboro, 6-1.
Taking third at the 165 pound weight class was Rick Schmelyun (New Oxford, Bermudian Springs ). The senior dropped a tough 2-1 match to Donnie Jones of West Virginia in the semi-finals after getting an opening round bye. Schmleyun then scored a 12-2 major decision over Rob Michaels of Cleveland State,then pinned Nick Milano of Clarion in 2:17 to claim third place.
Taking fourth place was Jason Guffey (Muncy, Warrior Run) at 133 pounds. Guffey opened with a 5-0 win over Jay Ivanco of Clarion before losing in the semi-finals by a 4-0 score to John Trumbetti. In the consolation bracket Guffey won by technical fall over Zech Heff of Cleveland State before losing in the consolation finals, 5-4, to Kyle Fluke of Edinboro.
Earning fifth place finishes were Josh Roosa (Mountaintop, Crestwood) at 149 pounds; Derek Coffey (Lewisburg, Lewisburg) at 184 pounds; Brian Shaw (Hollidaysburg, Hollidaysburg) at 197 pounds; and Zachary Walsh (Denville, NJ, Morris Knolls) at 285 pounds. Finishing sixth was Ian De Sol (Schenectady, NY, Guilderland) at 141 pounds.
By virtue of their finishes and the slots awarded by the NCAA, Moley and Schmelyun will wrestle at the NCAA national championships in Omaha,Nebraska from March 18-20. Still in the running as wild-cards are Roosa and Graham. Wild-card bids will be announced on Tuesday.