Wrestling: Grapplers take only two matches, fall to Cavaliers

Star sophomore Garrett Frey, ranked No. 14 nationally in the 125-pound classification, was upset by Virginia’s Matthew Snyder. Snyder scored three points in a strong second period, holding on for a 6-3 decision. The defeat was just Frey’s second in a dual meet this season.

Sophomore Zach Bintliff scored Princeton’s first points, downing Augustus Sako in the 141-pound contest. Bintliff was dropped to the mat in the first period but answered with a reversal and a takedown of his own, finishing the match with a 5-2 advantage.

Junior 157-pounder Daniel Kolodzik provided the Tigers’ other victory. He scored the first five points and held off a late charge from Nicholas Gordon for a 6-3 win. Kolodzik, who was named a second-team All-Ivy wrestler last season, has won his last six dual-match contests, a streak that dates back to Dec. 12.

The rest of the Tigers could not match Bintliff and Kolodzik’s feats. Freshman Brandon Rolnick suffered a low-scoring, 2-0 defeat to Derek Valenti in the 149-pound classification. Senior Travis Erdman battled 184-pounder Jonathan Fausey to the closest match of the day, but ultimately lost, 2-1.

The hosts dominated the other events. In the 165-pound division, Jedd Moore pinned junior Andy Lowy. Freshman Ryan Callahan drew a particularly difficult opponent in Chris Henrich, the No. 4 174-pounder nationally, and was defeated, 18-5.

Virginia swept the five heaviest weight classifications. Stephen Doty dropped freshman 197-pounder Dan Santoro, holding the visitor to just a lone escape point to notch a 6-1 victory. In the heavyweight division, John Danilkowicz pulled away with four points in the third period to shut out sophomore Charles Fox, 5-0.

The Tigers opened a surprisingly successful Ivy League season with wins at Harvard and Brown a year ago. The weekend sweep was part of a five-game win streak that included three victories over their Ancient Eight rivals.

They finished the season 3-2 in the conference, their first season with a finish above .500 in more than two decades. Princeton hopes to have similar success again this year, beginning with home dates against the Crimson and the Bears at Dillon Gymnasium this Saturday.