LHU’s Neff Alive at NCAA’s
OKLAHOMA CITY – Dan Neff (Quarryville, Pa./Solanco) of the Lock Haven University wrestling team picked up a win Thursday in the consolation wrestle-backs to advance at the 2014 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
The 2014 national tournament began earlier Thursday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.
Neff bounced back from a tournament-opening loss during Session I with a win to advance to Friday competition in the double-elimination event.
Fred Garcia (Donora, Pa./Ringgold), Mac Maldarelli (Merrick, N.Y./Nassau C.C.) and Jake Kemerer (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) all dropped their Consolation Round 1 bouts, eliminating them from the tournament.
Neff bounced back from his loss to Harvard’s Todd Preston with a dominating win over Cornell’s Michael Nevinger during Session 2. Neff scored a quick takedown 14 seconds into the bout. He hammered Nevinger for the remaining 2:46 of the first. Neff led 4-0 after two on the way to the solid 9-1 major as he finished with 3:28 of riding time.
Neff heads into Friday action with a 32-9 record this season.
Garcia finished the tournament 1-2 after going 1-1 during Session 1. He lost to Iowa State’s Lelund Weatherspoon 11-4 to wrap up his second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. He finished the season 25-9 overall.
Both Maldarelli and Kemerer finished the tournament 0-2.
Maldarelli fell 9-5 to Kent State’s Michael Depalma and Kemerer was pinned (5:57) by Rider’s Ramon Santiago.
Maldarelli and Kemerer finish the season 33-16 and 22-10, respectively.
Neff returns to action Friday when the 2014 NCAA Tournament resumes at 11 a.m. EST with Session 3. Action will be broadcast live on AM 1230 WBPZ and ESPNU and ESPN3.
Lock Haven’s Day 1 Results –
141: Dan Neff, 1-1
First Round – Todd Preston (Harvard, 10th seed) dec. Neff 7-4 (TB-1)
Consolation Round 1 – Neff major dec. Michael Nevinger (Cornell) 9-1
149: Mac Maldarelli, 0-2
First Round – David Habat (Edinboro, 8th seed) major dec. Maldarelli 16-3
Consolation Round 1 – Michael Depalma (Kent State) dec. Maldarelli 9-5
165: Jake Kemerer, 0-2
First Round – Joseph Booth (Hofstra, 9th seed) major dec. Kemerer (10-2)
Consolation Round 1 – Ramon Santiago (Rider) pinned Kemerer (5:27)
184: Fred Garcia, 1-2
Pigtail – Garcia dec. Lucas Sheridan (Indiana) 5-2
First Round – John Rizquallah (Michigan State, 14th seed) dec. Garcia 7-3
Consolation Round 1 – Lelund Weatherspoon (Iowa State) dec. Garcia 11-4
