MARCH 3, 2006
NCAA National Tournament Web Site:
http://www.tcnjathletics.com/Sports/gen/2006/06NCAA%20wrestling%20championships.asp
MORGAN DROPS FIRST BOUT, WINS NEXT TWO TO CLINCH ALL-AMERICAN HONORS
EWING, NJ -- King’s College sophomore Dave Morgan (Scranton/West
Scranton) dropped his first match at the NCAA Division III National
Tournament but bounced back to win his next two bouts to clinch all-American status Friday at the College of New Jersey.
In his opening match, Morgan dropped a 3-1 overtime verdict to Jafari Vanier of defending
national team champion Augsburg College. He then rebounded to post a 5-1
decision over Alantino Keefer of Wilmington College as well as a 10-8
overtime victory over
2005 national runner-up Anthony D'Ambra of Brockport State.
After a scoreless first period in which neither wrestler came close to
securing a takedown, Vanier (17-2) would take a 1-0 lead with an early second
period escape. Morgan (23-3) would miss on a takedown opportunity on the edge
of the mat, but entered the final period trailing. Morgan would tie the
score at 1-1 with an escape 0:10 into the third period but both
wrestlers failed to secure scoring chances for the remainder of
regulation.
In the first overtime, Morgan nearly scored on a double-leg takedown but
Vanier fought off the attempt. The Augsburg junior then shot in for a
single-leg takedown and was able to secure control with 0:06 left to
post the victory.
Against Alantino, Morgan took a 2-0 lead on a first period takedown,
then added a another takedown in the second to build a 4-0 lead.
Alantino (24-8) would gain a late escape to close the gap to 4-1 heading
into the third period.
Morgan would choose bottom and scored the deciding escape with 0:14 left
to seal the match.
In his second consolation match, Morgan (25-3) posted a controversial
10-8 overtime win over the fifth-seeded D'Ambra. Morgan
took a 6-3 first period lead on the strength of three takedowns. Morgan
choose the neutral position in the second period and gave up a takedown
with 0:10 left to cling to a 6-5 lead heading into the final period. D'Ambra would escape to tie the score at 6-6, but Morgan countered with
a key takedown with 0:52 remaining to post an 8-6 lead.
D'Ambra would then add an escape moments later to cut the margin to 8-7.
With the match winding down, Morgan was whistled for a controversial
stalling penalty with 0:02 left in the bout, knotting the score at 8-8
and sending the match into overtime. But Morgan would respond with
a takedown 0:28 into the extra frame to secure the victory. The win
secure Division III all-American honors for Morgan.
Wrestling will continue Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Morgan will wrestle Zach
McKray (34-5) of first-place Wartburg College in the third round of
consolations. Should Morgan fall, he will then wrestle for seventh
place Saturday afternoon.
Action photo by Bob Ziadie, King's SID
