ITHACA, N.Y. – The Cortland wrestling team, ranked fifth nationally in Division III, completed its first undefeated dual-match season with a 25-12 victory at 18th-ranked Ithaca. The Red Dragons improved their dual record to 11-0 for their first season without a loss since records were first tracked in the 1946-47 school year.

Cortland won the final three matches of the evening after holding only a 13-12 lead through seven bouts. Junior Treavor LeBlanc (Morrisville/Morrisville-Eaton) pinned his opponent at 184 pounds to give the Red Dragons a 19-12 lead. Senior Brett Giehl (Rochester/Greece Athena) clinched the victory with a 6-2 win at 197 pounds and sophomore Joe Murphy (St. James/Smithtown) finished the night with a 3-1 overtime win at heavyweight.

Cortland jumped out to a 13-0 lead after four matches. Junior Peppy Cabrera (Bay Shore/Brentwood), ranked eighth nationally at 125 pounds, started the night with a 6-4 win and sophomore Dave Colagiovanni (Mahopac) won 6-5 at 133 pounds. Freshman Joe Widrick (Beaver Falls/Beaver River) posted a 9-0 major decision at 141 pounds and junior Paul LeBlanc (Morrisville/Morrisville-Eaton), ranked fourth nationally at 149 pounds, earned a 5-2 decision.

Ithaca (11-5) won the next three matches to cut its deficit to one point. John Paxos won 5-4 at 157 pounds, John Dale upset nationally 10th-ranked Zack Bogardus (Fulton/G. Ray Bodley), 4-3, at 165 pounds and David Priest earned a pin at 174 pounds.

Cortland's next scheduled competition is Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference Championships and national qualifier in Oneonta.

Wrestling vs. Ithaca; Feb. 13, 2008

Cortland 25, Ithaca 12
    
125 – Peppy Cabrera (C) dec. Jon Gregory, 6-4
133 – Dave Colagiovanni (C) dec. Chad Winowich, 6-5
141 – Joe Widrick (C) major dec. Junior Amazan, 9-0
149 – Paul LeBlanc (C) dec. Blaine Woszczak, 5-2
157 – John Paxos (ITH) dec. Will Brodfuehrer, 5-4
165 – John Dale (ITH) dec. Zack Bogardus, 4-3
174 – David Priest (ITH) pinned Tom Delesia, 6:00
184 – Treavor LeBlanc (C) pinned Brandon Stark, 2:58
197 – Brett Giehl (C) dec. David Sbriscia, 6-2
HWT – Joe Murphy (C) dec. Joe Goetz, 3-1 (ot, sv)

Dual Records after match:  Cortland (Red Dragons) 11-0 (ranked 5th in Div. III); Ithaca (Bombers) 11-5 (ranked 18th in Div. III)