ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The nationally sixth-ranked Cortland wrestling team improved to 6-0 in dual matches on the season with wins over Niagara County Community College, 26-16, and RIT, 36-3, at RIT.

The Red Dragons won nine of the 10 matches in the victory over RIT. Senior Jared Myhrberg (Queensbury), ranked first nationally at 197 pounds, pinned his opponent in one minute, 39 seconds. Junior Brian Bistis (Whitehouse Station, NJ/Hunterdon Central), ranked 10th nationally at 141 pounds, won his match by a 15-0 technical fall, as did senior Jonathan Conroy (South Plainfield, NJ) at 165 pounds.

Freshman Alec Dierna (Webster/Webster Schroeder) won by a 14-2 major decision at 133 pounds and freshman Joe Cataldo (Wantagh/MacArthur) was a 10-1 major decision winner at 184 pounds. The Red Dragons also picked up decisions by freshman Tanavung Tim (Rochester/Brighton) at 125 pounds, freshman and nationally fifth-ranked Bobby Dierna (Webster/Wayne) at 149 pounds, freshman Chris Sarro (Massapequa) at 157 pounds and freshman Josh Reed (Webster/Webster Schroeder) at 174 pounds.

Cortland faced a much tighter match in its opener against Niagara County Community College. The Thunderwolves led 16-14 with two matches remaining, but Myhrberg pinned his opponent in 1:25 at 197 pounds and senior Corey James (Kingston) sealed the win with a pin at 285 pounds in 2:03.

NCCC opened with a win at 125 pounds, but Cortland sophomore Paul Fields (Clarkstown/Clarkstown North) persevered after suffering a first-period injury and basically wrestled with one arm the rest of the match while keeping the result to just a regular 7-1 decision and three team points.

Freshman Tony Battista (Liverpool/Cicero-North Syracuse) followed with a pin in 1:46 at 133 pounds to give Cortland a 6-3 lead. Following an NCCC overtime win at 141 pounds, Bobby Dierna earned a 13-4 major decision to put Cortland up 10-6. NCCC re-gained the lead at 13-10 with a decision at 157 and a major decision at 165. The Red Dragons took a 14-13 advantage when sophomore Lou Puca (Huntington), ranked ninth nationally at 174 pounds, won his match by a 10-1 major decision. NCCC won by a point at 184 to set the stage for the decisive pins by Myhrberg and James.

Cortland will next compete at the North/South Duals, hosted by Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., on Saturday, Jan. 5.


Cortland 26, Niagara County CC 16

125 – Barney Prince (NCCC) dec. Paul Fields, 7-1
133 – Tony Battista (CORT) pinned Cody Carbery, 1:46
141 – Lancy Compton (NCCC) dec. Wes Blanding, 3-1 (ot)
149 – Bobby Dierna (CORT) major dec. Kevin Strong, 13-4
157 – Irvin Buck (NCCC) dec. Chris Sarro, 5-4
165 – Chris Schimek (NCCC) major dec. James Ondris, 11-3
174 – Lou Puca (CORT) major dec. Tyler Bruce, 10-1
184 – John Brabon (NCCC) dec. Alex Meyers, 3-2
197 – Jared Myhrberg (CORT) pinned Gunner Thomas, 1:25
285 – Corey James (CORT) pinned Max Antone, 2:03

Cortland 36, RIT 3

125 – Tanavung Tim (CORT) dec. Cody Schuster, 6-2
133 – Alec Dierna (CORT) major dec. Rory Bruce, 14-2
141 – Brian Bistis (CORT) tech. fall Lucas Howland, 15-0 (time n/a)
149 – Bobby Dierna (CORT) dec. Brad Mayville, 9-5
157 – Chris Sarro (CORT) dec. Nicholas Greenquist, 3-2
165 – Jonathan Conroy (CORT) tech. fall Kevin Barrett (RIT), 15-0 (time n/a)
174 – Josh Reed (CORT) dec. Nick Fisk, 4-1
184 – Joe Cataldo (CORT) major dec. Collin Doane, 10-1
197 – Jared Myhrberg (CORT) pinned Jake Swearingen, 1:39
285 – Nick Stewart (RIT) dec. Chris Brown, 8-2

Saturday's other result:
NCCC 36, RIT 8

Records after the day:
Cortland (Red Dragons) 6-0 (ranked 6th in Div. III)
RIT (Tigers) 0-4
NCCC (Thunderwolves) not available