Matt Ryan

PRIMM, Nev. – West Virginia University redshirt-sophomore wrestler Matt Ryan continued his success on Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, earning sixth place at 184 pounds.

Ryan’s first match of the day came against Navy’s Andrew Buck. Ryan earned a quick two points on a double-leg takedown just moments into the first period. After Buck escaped, the Navy wrestler went ahead with a takedown for a 3-2 lead. Buck, who was accumulating riding time, got too high on Ryan’s back and the WVU wrestler slid him off and got the reversal. Just seconds later, Ryan rolled Buck onto his back and got the fall just 2:05 into the match.

Facing No. 1-seed Mike Pucillo of Ohio State in his next match, Ryan had fallen behind 2-0, but then went ahead on back-to-back takedowns to finish the first period ahead, 5-4. Ryan chose the defensive position to start the second period and Pucillo accumulated the full two minutes of riding time. Pucillo then chose the down position for the third session and earned an escape point early in period. At the 5:56 mark, Pucillo was able to flip Ryan on his back and get the victory by fall.

An Eighty-Four, Pa., native, Ryan would have faced fifth-seeded Steve Bosak of Cornell for fifth place, but Ryan withdrew with a medical forfeit and earned sixth place at 184 pounds.

The Mountaineers return to action on Friday, Dec. 11, at home against No. 15-ranked Penn State. The first bout is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET.

184
Consolation Bracket
Matt Ryan (WVU) FALL Andrew Buck (Navy), 2:05
(No. 1 seed) Mike Pucillo (Ohio State) FALL Matt Ryan (WVU), 5:56