Jan. 16, 2010

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Cardinal wrestling team finished 2-1 at the Spartan Duals, Saturday, at Jenison Fieldhouse in East Lansing, Mich. Stanford dropped its first dual to host Michigan State, 25-10, but rebounded with a 22-18 win over Northern Illinois and a 26-15 victory against Eastern Michigan. Stanford is now 8-4 on the season and 0-1 in the Pac-10 Conference.

Freshman Ryan Mango, sophomore Nick Amuchastegui and junior Zack Giesen combined to score 38 of Stanford's 58 points Saturday. The trio was 9-0 on the day as the Cardinal has already matched its win total from last season. Amuchastegui remains undefeated in dual matches at 11-0 on the year, while Giesen boasts a 10-1 dual record and Mango has posted an 8-4 record so far in his rookie season.

The Cardinal opened the day against host Michigan State. Mango gave Stanford the early 4-0 advantage with a 19-6 major decision over Brennan Lyon at 125 pounds, but the Spartans won the next four bouts to put the Cardinal in a 16-4 hole. Amuchastegui added three points with a 6-0 decision against MSU's Kyle Bounds at 165 pounds. Eleventh-ranked Giesen concluded the scoring for Stanford with a 4-2 decision over Nick Palmieri at 184 pounds.

Stanford regrouped and came back to post a 22-18 win over Northern Illinois in its second dual of the day. The Cardinal received six points for a forfeit at 125 pounds and added six more with a pin by junior Justin Paulsen at 133 pounds. The Huskies cut the lead to 12-9 after claiming decisions over the Cardinal at 141, 149 and 157 pounds. However, the combo of Amuchastegui and Giesen helped secure the victory for Stanford, earning three points for the 9-6 decision at 165 pounds and four points for a 13-3 major decision at 184 pounds. True freshman Richard Kessler scored the Cardinal's final three points with a 5-4 decision over NIU's Scott Penny at 197 pounds.

The Cardinal concluded the day with a 26-15 victory over Eastern Michigan. Mango earned his first collegiate pin at 6:03 over the Eagles' Chris Jenkins to start the scoring for the Cardinal. At 141 pounds, freshman Bret Baumbach tallied his lone win of the day with a 15-6 major decision against EMU's Corey Phillips to give Stanford a 10-3 lead. The Eagles pulled within one at 10-9, but the Cardinal won the next four bouts to capture the win. Amuchastegui brought his overall record to 21-3 with a 5-1 decision over Alex Ortman, while Giesen (21-3) recorded his fastest fall of the season, pinning Nick Kendrick in 46 seconds. Senior Jake Johnson won his lone match of the day at 174 pounds with a 12-4 major decision against Phillip Joseph, and Kessler tallied his second win Saturday, a 3-0 decision over Travis Steinbeck at 197 pounds.

Redshirt senior Tyler Parker saw his first action of the year, competing at 149 pounds for the Cardinal. Returning NCAA qualifier Lucas Espericueta, Stanford's regular starter at 157 pounds, did not compete Saturday. Redshirt freshman Mike Kent wrestled at 157 pounds for the first time this season.

The Cardinal will compete in its fourth dual in less than 24 hours, Sunday, as they travel to Mt. Pleasant, Mich., for a dual at eighth-ranked Central Michigan at 2 p.m. Head coach Jason Borrelli will return to his alma mater and coach against his father, Tom Borrelli, for the first time in his career.

Spartan Duals
East Lansing, Mich.
January 16, 2010

Michigan State 25, Stanford 10
125- Ryan Mango (S) maj. dec. Brennan Lyon (M), 19-6
133- No. 1 Franklin Gomez (M) maj. dec. Justin Paulsen (S), 13-2
141- Dan Osterman (M) dec. Bret Baumbach (S), 10-3
149- No. 13 David Cheza (M) dec. Tyler Parker (S), 6-1
157- Anthony Jones Jr. (M) Fall 5:27 Mike Kent (S)
165- Nick Amuchastegui (S) dec. Kyle Bounds (M), 6-0
174- Ian Hinton (M) dec. Spence Patrick (S), 6-3
184- No. 11 Zack Giesen (S) dec. Nick Palmieri (M), 4-2
197- Tyler Dickenson (M) dec. Richard Kessler (S), 6-1
HWT- Alan O'Donnell (M) dec. Dylan Rush (S), 7-3

Stanford 22, Northern Illinois 18
125- Ryan Mango (S) won by forfeit
133- Justin Paulsen (S) Fall 4:03 Zach Taylor (N)
141- Vince Castillo (N) dec. Bret Baumbach (S), 4-0
149- Daniel Ruettiger (N) dec. Tyler Parker (S), 4-3
157- Bryan Deutsch (N) dec. Mike Kent (S), 6-0
165- Nick Amuchastegui (S) dec. John Odeen (N), 9-6
174-Mason True (N) dec. Jake Johnson (S), 5-3
184- Zack Giesen (S) maj. dec. Zach Benzio (N), 13-3
197- Richard Kessler (S) dec. Scott Penny (N), 5-4
HWT- Dakota Greenlaw won by inj. def. Dylan Rush (S)

Stanford 26, Eastern Michigan 15
125- Ryan Mango (S) Fall 6:03 Chris Jenkins (E)
133- Sean Clair (E) dec. Justin Paulsen (S), 1-0
141- Bret Baumbach (S) maj. dec. Corey Phillips (E), 15-6
149- David Piencar (E) dec. Tyler Parker (S), 4-3
157- Aaron Sultzer(E) dec. Mike Kent (S), 3-1
165- Nick Amuchastegui (S) dec. Alex Ortman (E), 5-1
174- Jake Johnson (S) maj. dec. Phillip Joseph (E), 12-4
184- Zack Giesen (S) Fall 0:46 Nick Kendrick (E)
197- Richard Kessler (S) dec. Travis Steinbeck (E), 3-0
HWT- David Wade (E) won by forfeit