While most of the Binghamton University student body enjoyed a six-week winter break, the BU wrestling team was hard at work and rising in the national polls.
The Bearcats (11-2) are now ranked No. 19 in the nation, according to the NWCA/USA Today Coaches Poll, up a notch from last week’s ranking of No. 20.
Since mid-December, Binghamton has placed fourth of 29 in the Reno Tournament of Champions, defeated University at Buffalo, 27-12, fell to then-No. 12 University of Oklahoma, 20-15 and fell in a tiebreaker to No. 4 Cornell University, 22-21.
The Bearcats then returned to their winning ways in Fairfax, Va., where they defeated Drexel University, 36-6; Rider University, 20-12; and Boston University, 32-12, at the Colonial Athletic Association duals on Jan. 21.
In Fairfax, 157-pound senior Justin Lister picked up his team-high 12th pin of the season against Boston University. Lister, who is now 20-2 overall and 12-0 in duals, rose to No. 6 in the national InterMat ranking.
149-pound junior Donnie Vinson, who is ranked No. 4 in the latest InterMat poll, went 3-0 at the CAA duals, improving to a 25-3 overall record with a 13-0 mark in duals.
The BU wrestling team has been a bright spot in the athletic department throughout the entire season; this squad’s No. 19 ranking this week is the highest ranking in the history of the University’s wrestling program.
Sixth-year coach Pat Popolizio has utilized the enormous depth of his lineup, and the team has gained more and more national recognition as the season has gone by.
“There are a lot of people who have invested time and energy into our program, and it’s really starting to show,” Popolizio said. “We will continue to improve off these rankings and look to produce our first NCAA champion and multiple All-Americans.”
For their success at the CAA, Vinson earned a share of the Wrestler of the Week award, and 157-pound freshman Joe Bonaldi and heavyweight Nick Gwiazdowski each won Rookie of the Week honors.
On Sunday afternoon, the Bearcats fell to the top team in the country, No. 1 Oklahoma State University, 35-3. The undefeated Cowboys (8-0) have eight ranked wrestlers.
The Cowboys defeated the Bearcats 32-9 in the squads’ last meeting two years ago.
Vinson faced his toughest opponent of the season in No. 2 Jamal Parks of Oklahoma State, but fell 5-3. Gwiazdowski, who defeated the No. 1 wrestler in the CAA duals, Kyle Frey of Drexel, also fell, losing to OSU’s No. 2 Alan Gelogaev by technical fall.
Sunday’s match marked the fourth meeting between Popolizio and his alma mater and former coach, John Smith. It was also the second time BU faced the No. 1 team in the country. The Bearcats were shut out in the 2008-09 season by then-No. 1 Iowa State University 45-0 in the Northeast Duals.
The Bearcats also went up against Bucknell University. The match began at 7 p.m.