Schumm highlights successful Southern Scuffle

Saturday, December 30th, 2006 CSUB Sports Information News Release

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Cal State Bakersfield senior Matt Schumm placed fourth at 141 pounds to highlight the Roadrunners’ successful trip to the Southern Scuffle on Saturday at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Schumm lost to eventual Scuffle champion and No. 5 nationally ranked Manuel Rivera of Minnesota in the first round on Friday and proceeded to win seven straight matches in the consolation round to reach the third-place match before finally dropping a match to place fourth.

Cal State Bakersfield finished 14th at the Scuffle with 57 points. No. 1 ranked Missouri came from behind to win with 179.5 points, followed by No. 2 Minnesota (176), No. 13 Cornell (134.5), No. 12 Edinboro (129.5) and Navy (92.5). The Roadrunners finished ahead of No. 24 Pittsburgh, who was 20th place.

Schumm not only won seven straight matches in the tournament, but he also beatsome impressive wrestlers along the way. After knocking off Chris Bencienga of UNC-Greensboro on Friday, he also defeated No. 10 seed Darren Caldwell of North Carolina State by a technical fall 24-8, No. 4 seed and No. 14 nationally-ranked Charlie Pinto of Maryland 12-5, No. 9 seed Matthew Ciasulli of Lehigh 11-9, and Curt Sponseller of Kent State 12-4.

In addition to Schumm becoming a placewinner, four Roadrunners finished just one win shy of becoming a placewinner. Daniel Atondo reached the quarterfinals at 165 but lost to No. 2 seed and No. 11 nationally-ranked Steve Anceravage of Cornell 14-8. After that match, Atondo then fell to Nick Marable of Missouri 5-1 to fall just one win short of placewinner status.

Brandon Halsey did the same at 197 pounds. After reaching the quarterfinals, he lost a heartbreaker to No. 2 nationally-ranked Jerry Rinaldi of Cornell by a single point at 3-2, then dropped a 9-4 decision to David Mendoza of Old Dominion 9-4.

Daniel Alejandro (157 pounds) and -Thomas Kimbrell (133 pounds) also came one win short of becoming a placewinner, while Brandon Zoetewey (125 pounds), Jeremy Doyle (149 pounds), and Eric Parker (heavyweight) missed by two wins.

The Roadrunners open the home portion of their dual meet season on Tuesday when they take on Pac-10 foe Oregon at the Icardo Center at 7 p.m.