2008 Woodie Awards
Eagles take third in wrestling regional championship
Courtney Sessions
Issue date: 2/24/06 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
On Saturday February 18, 2006 the Embry-Riddle Eagles faced off against Simon Fraser University, Southern Oregon University, and Menlo College for the Western Regional Championships. It was an overall successful day for the Eagles taking home three first place trophies, two second place trophies and another three third place. As a team, the Eagles placed third overall missing first by only two points.
The day started of with qualify rounds, it was easy to see the support the Eagles had as many people filled the stands to watch the Blue and Gold take on their opponents. As the day went on the Eagles placed well taking ten of their 12-man roster to the championship rounds.
Gordo Villaescusa was the first Eagle wrestler to take to the mat at 141-pounds looking for the win. The match was a good one but in the end not enough to take the win. Villaescusa placed a very respectable second place. The second match pitted Eli Arismendez against Jimmy Ulrey of Southern Oregon. Arismendez fell behind early in the match only to come back in the final seconds of regulation to tie up the match sending it into overtime.
In a wrestling overtime the first to score in a one minute match wins.
As the minute was coming to an end, Southern Oregon's wrestler made an illegal move giving a point to Arismendez and the win at 149-pounds.
Arismendez has become the second Eagle freshman in history to have a first place win.
Next up was Hayden Harrison who is a first year Eagle having transferred into Embry-Riddle this year to pursue his dream of flying. Harrison took the lead early in the match and ended with a win of seven to four in the 157-pound class. Harrison would also take the Outstanding Wrestler of the game award.
With two more Eagle wrestlers looking for a first place win, Calvin De Vault faced off against Jimmy Grochowsky of Southern Oregon. Unfortunately, this wasn't to be and De Vault placed second.
With only one more Eagle to wrestle for the crown, the team waited "on edge" to see if Joffrey Lander, Applied Meteorology Junior, could pull off one more win for the Eagles. Lander faced off against a well-placed Rick Story of Southern Oregon. The game went back and fourth through all three rounds and ended with a tie sending the two players into overtime. Neither player would score in the overtime, which then sent the two into a second overtime. As the second overtime commenced, Lander took the lead with one point. In the final seconds, the crowd was screaming as Lander scored two more points and took the win at 184 pounds, sending the crowd and the team into an uproar. In the end, the Eagle wins were not enough to take home the team trophy, but as Coach Petty explained, "We did not win the Championship on points but gave a great championship effort and that is what is important." Petty also explained that "when three teams are separated but only three points, you know it was a good game."
The Eagles season is now drawing to a close, but not before they head to NAIA National Championships. The Eagles will be taking 12 players this year, which is the maximum number allowed giving the Eagles a better chance at the National team Championship. The championships will be held in Sue City, Iowa March 4. For more information about the Men's Wrestling team, visit [www.embryriddlesports.com] and click on Prescott Athletics.
The day started of with qualify rounds, it was easy to see the support the Eagles had as many people filled the stands to watch the Blue and Gold take on their opponents. As the day went on the Eagles placed well taking ten of their 12-man roster to the championship rounds.
Gordo Villaescusa was the first Eagle wrestler to take to the mat at 141-pounds looking for the win. The match was a good one but in the end not enough to take the win. Villaescusa placed a very respectable second place. The second match pitted Eli Arismendez against Jimmy Ulrey of Southern Oregon. Arismendez fell behind early in the match only to come back in the final seconds of regulation to tie up the match sending it into overtime.
In a wrestling overtime the first to score in a one minute match wins.
As the minute was coming to an end, Southern Oregon's wrestler made an illegal move giving a point to Arismendez and the win at 149-pounds.
Arismendez has become the second Eagle freshman in history to have a first place win.
Next up was Hayden Harrison who is a first year Eagle having transferred into Embry-Riddle this year to pursue his dream of flying. Harrison took the lead early in the match and ended with a win of seven to four in the 157-pound class. Harrison would also take the Outstanding Wrestler of the game award.
With two more Eagle wrestlers looking for a first place win, Calvin De Vault faced off against Jimmy Grochowsky of Southern Oregon. Unfortunately, this wasn't to be and De Vault placed second.
With only one more Eagle to wrestle for the crown, the team waited "on edge" to see if Joffrey Lander, Applied Meteorology Junior, could pull off one more win for the Eagles. Lander faced off against a well-placed Rick Story of Southern Oregon. The game went back and fourth through all three rounds and ended with a tie sending the two players into overtime. Neither player would score in the overtime, which then sent the two into a second overtime. As the second overtime commenced, Lander took the lead with one point. In the final seconds, the crowd was screaming as Lander scored two more points and took the win at 184 pounds, sending the crowd and the team into an uproar. In the end, the Eagle wins were not enough to take home the team trophy, but as Coach Petty explained, "We did not win the Championship on points but gave a great championship effort and that is what is important." Petty also explained that "when three teams are separated but only three points, you know it was a good game."
The Eagles season is now drawing to a close, but not before they head to NAIA National Championships. The Eagles will be taking 12 players this year, which is the maximum number allowed giving the Eagles a better chance at the National team Championship. The championships will be held in Sue City, Iowa March 4. For more information about the Men's Wrestling team, visit [www.embryriddlesports.com] and click on Prescott Athletics.