Brown University
Cliff Keen Invitational
Bernstein, Staudenmayer Lead Wrestling on Day One of Cliff Keen Invitational
12/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Senior Ophir Bernstein and sophomore Justin Staudenmayer each advanced to the quarterfinal round of their respective weight classes to lead Brown University wrestling at the star-studded 33rd Annual Cliff Keen Invitational on Friday at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The Bears competed against entrants from 38 other teams on the first day of the event – one of the strongest fields outside the NCAA Championships. Eleven of the nation's top 25 teams and eight of the country's top 15 programs, according to Intermat's Tournament Rankings, sent representatives to the tournament.
Bernstein (Allen, Texas), seeded sixth and ranked 12th in the nation at 184 pounds, defeated Mathew Irick of Indiana, 6-2, in his first bout of the day. In his second bout, he pinned No. 11 seed Austin Gabel of Virginia Tech in a sudden-victory period at 7:56. He absorbed an 11-7 setback to third-seeded and seventh-ranked Blake Stauffer of Arizona State in the quarterfinals.
Staudenmayer (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.), seeded seventh and ranked 20th in the country at 157 pounds beat No. 12 Iowa State's Daniel Woiwor, 10-3, to open competition. He followed that with a 9-0 major-decision victory over American's John Boyle before falling to second-seeded and second-ranked James Green of No. 11 Nebraska via major decision, 15-5, in the quarterfinals.
Sophomore Richard Muniz (Corona, Calif.) posted two victories in the 165-pound weight class. He defeated Brad Mutchkin of American, 2-0, in the first round and topped Ethan Orr of Rutgers, 3-2.
Seniors Billy Watterson (Pound Ridge, N.Y.) and Ricky McDonald (Carson City, Nev.), junior Anthony Finocchiaro (Canastota, N.Y.), and sophomore Steven Galiardo (Chicago, Ill.) each won one bout with McDonald logging a pin in 2:19 against Arizona State's Raymond Waters, and Finochiarro earning a win through major decision.
Upon the completion of its bouts for the day, the Bears stood in a tie for 24th out of 37 scoring teams with 18 points.
Brown will conclude competition at the Cliff Keen Invitational tomorrow with Bernstein and Staudenmayer competing in consolation action.
Brown Results:
125 Pounds
Billy Watterson
No. 7 seed/No. 12-ranked Joshua Rodriguez (North Dakota St.) defeats Watterson by major decision, 15-7
Defeats Brant Leadbeter (Navy), 11-4
Conor Youtsey (Michigan) defeats Watterson, 4-1
133 Pounds
Zeke Salvo
Kyle Giva (North Dakota St.) defeats Salvo, 10-4
Jordan Gurrola (San Francisco St.) defeat Salvo by major decision, 10-2
141 Pounds
Anthony Finocchiaro
Dante Rodriguez (No. 12 Iowa State) defeats Finocchiaro by major decision, 13-2
Defeats Leandro Arias (Nebraska-Kearney) by major decision, 19-7
Devin Reynolds (Oregon State) defeats Finocchiaro, 6-3
149 Pounds
Steven Galiardo
No. 9 seed Jake Short (No. 1 Minnesota) defeats Galiardo, 3-1 (SV)
Defeats Joe Randazzo (Indiana), 9-3
Justin Arthur (No. 11 Nebraska) defeats Galiardo, 7-2
157 Pounds
No. 7 Seed/No. 20-ranked Justin Staudenmayer
Defeats Daniel Woiwor (No. 12 Iowa State), 10-3
Defeats No. 10 seed John Boyle (American) by major decision, 9-0
No. 2 seed/No. 2-ranked James Green (No. 11 Nebraska) defeats Staudenmayer by major decision, 15-5 (Quarterfinals)
Vs. Jarrett Jensen (No. 25 Northern Iowa)
165 Pounds
Richard Muniz
Defeats Brad Mutchnik (American), 2-0
No. 5 seed/No. 12-ranked Cooper Moore (No. 25 Northern Iowa) defeats Muniz, Fall 6:20
Defeats Ethan Orr (Rutgers), 3-2
Max Rohskopf (No. 20 NC State) defeats Muniz, 4-1
174 Pounds
Ricky McDonald
No. 4 seed/No. 8-ranked Bryce Hammond (Cal State Bakersfield) defeats McDonald, 7-6
Defeats Raymond Waters (Arizona State), Fall 2:19
Kurtis Julson (North Dakota State) defeats McDonald, 7-4
184 Pounds
No. 6 Seed/No. 12-ranked Ophir Bernstein
Defeats Mathew Irick (Indiana), 6-2
Defeats No. 11 seed Austin Gabel (Virginia Tech), Fall 7:56 (SV)
No. 3 seed/No. 7-ranked Blake Stauffer (Arizona State) defeats Bernstein, 11-7, (Quarterfinals)
Vs. Zack Hernandez (Columbia)
197 Pounds
Sebastien Levin
No. 5 seed/No. 18-ranked Jace Bennett (No. 4 Cornell) defeats Levin, Fall 0:49
Paul Rands (Navy) defeats Levin by major decision, 16-4
Players Mentioned
