COLLEGE WRESTLING: ATHENS GRAD BURKHART DROPS 9-8 DECISION IN FIRST START AT LEHIGH (2021-01-16)
Valley Sports ReportANNAPOLIS, Md. - Athens grad
A.J. Burkhart, a junior on the Lehigh University wrestling team, dropped a hard-fought, 9-8, decision via riding time to Navy's Andrew Cerniglia in his first dual appearance here Saturday in NCAA Division I wrestling action.
After a scoreless first period in the 157-pound bout, Burkhart, who started on bottom, was turned for two near-fall points early in the second period, before reversing Cerniglia directly to his back in a six-point move.
Cerniglia was able to reverse Burkhart, who then escaped to take a 7-4 lead after two periods.
Cerniglia, a freshman, scored a reversal just seven seconds into the third period, but Burkhart escaped to take an 8-6 lead. Cerniglia scored a takedown with 25 seconds to tie the bout, and topped the one minute in riding time to secure that point for a 9-8 win.
Cerniglia, who is a two-time PIAA champion from Bethlehem, Pa., improves to 4-0 on the season.
Lehigh, which falls to 0-2 with the 21-9 loss to Navy, returns to action Jan. 24 when it hosts Drexel.
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IN PHOTO: A.J. Burkhart.
