Gomez Advances To Semifinals At NCAA Championships
3/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
March 20, 2009
Team Standings | Updated Brackets | MSU Individual Results
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Franklin Gomez defeated No. 9 seed Lou Ruggirello of Hofstra, 6-4, in the 133-pound quarterfinal round of the NCAA Wrestling Championships on Friday (March 20) to advance to Friday night's semifinal match.
In consolation action, 174-pounder Ian Hinton fell to No. 6 seed Steve Anceravage of Cornell by major decision, 10-2. With the loss, Hinton is eliminated from competition.
Gomez jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on Ruggirello, recording his first takedown 15 seconds into the match. After Ruggirello escaped 10 seconds later, the two remained neutral for the rest of the period. Ruggirello racked up close to two minutes of riding advantage in the second period, but neither wrestler was able to score.
Gomez notched a reversal 13 seconds into the final period to boost his lead to 4-1. Ruggirello recorded his second escape and Gomez followed with his second takedown seconds later to give him the 6-2 lead. Another Ruggirello escape and a point from riding advantage left the final score at 6-4.
Gomez, now 25-2 this season, draws No. 5 seed Andrew Hochstrasser of Boise State in the semifinals. Hochstrasser defeated No. 4 seed Daniel Dennis of Iowa, who handed Gomez one of his two losses this season, in the quarterfinals. This will be the first meeting between Gomez and Hochstrasser.
In Hinton's wrestleback match, the redshirt freshman struck first, scoring a takedown seven seconds into the match. After Anceravage escaped 20 seconds later, he racked up a takedown and three near fall points to close out the first period at 6-2. Anceravage rode the second period out, giving him over two minutes of riding advantage. An escape and a takedown by Anceravage in the third sealed the major decision win.
Gomez will compete in the semifinals tonight at 7 p.m. All semifinal matches will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN360.com. Follow along with Live Stats and MSU Individual Results.
Players Mentioned
