CORTLAND, N.Y. – The nationally seventh-ranked Cortland wrestling team fought back from an 18-0 deficit to earn a 34-18 win versus Oneonta Wednesday night at Corey Gymnasium. The home Red Dragons improved to 7-2 with the win, while the visiting Red Dragons fell to 2-11.

Oneonta opened a quick 18-0 lead by virtue of forfeit victories at 125 and 133 pounds and a pin by junior Richard Dennison (Port Jervis/Minisink Valley) in 4:25 at 141 pounds.

Freshman Austin Whitney (Mexico/Mexico Academy), ranked 10th nationally, started Cortland's comeback with an 11-0 major decision at 149 pounds to improve to 26-7 on the season. Junior Bobby Dierna (Webster/Wayne) made it an 18-10 score with a pin in 2:42 at 157 pounds. Junior Colin Barber (Westfield, NJ), ranked 10th at 165 pounds, followed with a 4-2 decision over senior Evan Wallace (East Greenbush/Columbia). Barber scored on an escape and a takedown in the second period, and Wallace pulled to within 3-2 with a late reversal but Barber earned a riding-time point for the final score.

The home Red Dragons were awarded forfeit wins at 174 and 184 pounds to take a 25-18 lead with two bouts remaining. Nationally fourth-ranked senior Joe Giaramita (Elwood/John H. Glenn) clinched the team win with a pin in 2:39 at 197 pounds, improving to 23-4 on the season. Junior Tyler Lilly (New Rochelle) closed out the match with a 7-1 decision at 285 pounds, sealing the win with a late takedown.    

Cortland 34, Oneonta 18

125 – Dominic DeGraba (ONE) won by forfeit
133 – Anthony Messina (ONE) won by forfeit
141 – Richard Dennison (ONE) pinned Matt Norris, 4:25
149 – Austin Whitney (CORT) major dec. Daniel Murphy, 11-0
157 – Bobby Dierna (CORT) pinned Thomas Marrone, 2:42  
165 – Colin Barber (CORT) dec. Evan Wallace, 4-2
174 – Lou Puca (CORT) won by forfeit 
184 – Brett Lewis (CORT) won by forfeit
197 – Joe Giaramita (CORT) pinned Peter Pjetri, 2:39
285 – Tyler Lilly (CORT) dec. Matthew Doty, 7-1

Exhibitions

149 – Greg Chery (CORT) dec. Matthew Marino, 6-4 (SV-1)
157 – Tristan Broddus (CORT) tech. fall Eric Petrie, 19-1 (3:36)
197 – Brett Lewis (CORT) dec. Anthony Marino, 8-5 

Records after match: Cortland (Red Dragons) 7-2 (ranked 7th in Div. III), Oneonta (Red Dragons) 2-11