OMAHA, NE-Bloomsburg University wrestler Matt Moley (Phoenixville, Spring-Ford) came up one match in his quest for a third-straight All-American season losing in round of the consolation bracket on Friday at the NCAA Division I wrestling championships in Omaha, NE. In addition, Rick Schmelyun (New Oxford, Bermudian Springs ) had his career come to a close with a loss in the consolation round.
Moley, wrestling at 157 pounds, started the day with a win by fall over Joseph Booth of Drexel in a time of 2:24. Moley then faced Jake Kerr of Iowa in the fourth round of consolations and pulled out a 5-1 win. Moley broke a 1-1 tie with a three-point near fall after Kerr chose bottom to start the period.
In round five of consolations and one win from guaranteeing himself All-American honors, Moley lost by a 9-8 score to second seed Adam Hall of Boise State.
Moley got off to a fast start leading 5-1 after one period getting a takedown and a three-point near fall. In the second period Moley chose down to start and worked an escape to lead 6-1 before Hall got his a takedown. After Moley worked his second escape of the period, Hall scored another takedown to lead 7-5 going to the final period.
In the third period Hall chose down and escaped and then scored a takedown to take an 8-6 lead. Hall was called for stalling with Moley being awarded a point to trail 8-7. Moley then escaped to tie the score at 8-8, but with Hall picked up the win with a 1:30 in riding time to advance. Moley ends the season with a record of 26-5. For his career Moley was a two-time All-American finishing eighth two years ago and sixth last season.
At 165 pounds Schmelyun saw his career come to a close with loss to Cody Yohn of Minnesota in the consolation round. Schmelyun lost by fall in 2:52 to end the year with a mark of 28-9.