The day began with a decision at the heavyweight level over James Madison and ended with a heavyweight being lifted off the shoulders of the Binghamton wrestling program.
When the final match of a double-header against James Madison and Sacred Heart was over Saturday at the Events Center, the Bearcats wrestling squad had achieved something that had eluded it for the previous four seasons ‘ a winning streak. With their three consecutive victories, including the successful sweep of a pair of conference matches on Saturday, the team started out the shortest month of the year with its longest winning streak since the 2002-03 season.
The two-week layoff seemed to be just what the doctor ordered, as the team started out their day with a 33-12 defeat of JMU. Though things started out in shaky fashion against a struggling Dukes squad, Binghamton turned it from a 12-4 James Madison lead to a 33-12 Bearcats victory. With their 21 unanswered points, the Bearcats put the Dukes, who have struggled to a 6-23 record, away with ease. The fearsome brotherly trio of Josh, Nate and Mike Patterson all registered victories in the day’s first match. Junior Kyle Fried, sophomore Sam Sirota and freshmen Chris Clucka and Ed Backus also posted victories to carry Binghamton.
The second match of the day pitted the Bearcats against rival Sacred Heart, who defeated Binghamton less than a month ago in Connecticut with a 29-18 victory. But the Bearcats would have none of that on their home turf and got their revenge with a 23-20 tough-fought victory. Down 13-6, the Bearcats sent out the nationally ranked Kyle Fried, who brought the Bearcats within four points before Nate Patterson put Binghamton up 15-13 with a pin. The Pioneers would take the lead one final time, but with major decisions by Sam Sirota and the unstoppable Josh Patterson, the Bearcats sealed the victory and got the sweep.
Head coach Pat Popolizio couldn’t be happier with the way his team has progressed this season.
‘This weekend went extremely well. Revenge for the loss we had earlier in the season was definitely a good step in the right direction,’ he said. ‘It’s just showing the improvement that every one of our guys is having, so it’s definitely a great feeling.’
Although BU won both the day’s matches, there was some injury news as freshman Kareem Naguib suffered a slight injury in the match against Sacred Heart. He will need an MRI and will have to sit out this weekend’s upcoming match at Boston University.
‘There are guys on the team who have those little injuries that are going to nag them from now until the end of the season, but you have to be mentally tough and wrestle with a few bangs and bruises,’ Popolizio said.
The wrestling team will travel to Boston for a 1 p.m. match this Saturday, looking to extend its winning streak. Though Boston has a great program, Popolizio believes his team is up to the challenge ‘ and every other match the rest of the way.
‘Obviously Boston has a great tradition in wrestling, but I think we match up well with them. We’re in a situation now where we have a good chance of winning the rest of the season’s matches.’