Gentzle and Tomei Win Titles at Mat Town Open
12/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 1, 2008
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. -- Senior Brad Gentzle and junior Ryan Tomei each won individual titles in their respective weight classes at the Third Annual Mat Town Open this past weekend. Gentzle, winner of the 133-pound bracket, and Tomei, the heavyweight champion, were both competing unattached from the University of Pittsburgh.
After a first round bye, Gentzle advanced to the semifinals with a first period fall over Sean Reed (Millersville). A 4-1 decision over Corey Mock set up a championship match with home favorite William Ashnault (Lock Haven). In the finals, Gentzle rolled to an 8-3 decision and the title at 133.
Tomei coasted to the title in the heavyweight bracket winning three matches in three different fashions. A 4-1 decision over Jordan Enck (Hofstra) followed a first-round bye. In the semifinals, Dan Craig (Lock Haven) was put down 10-2, giving Tomei his fourth major decision on the year. In the finals, John Laboranti (Penn State) pushed Tomei to overtime, but was pinned less than a minute into the extra frame.
Also collecting place finishes on the day were Eric Albright and Brock Mantella. Albright posted a 4-1 mark on the day to finish in third place in the 141-pound bracket while Mantella made his way to the finals in the 184-pound bracket before falling 4-2. Mantella finished second, posting a 2-1 record on the day.
The Panthers head west to open the month of December, traveling to the 27th Annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, Dec. 5-6 in Las Vegas, Nev. Pitt will be one of 48 teams to wrestle in the two-day team tournament.