COLLEGE WRESTLING: ATHENS GRAD BURKHART HELPS LEHIGH TO WINS OVER BINGHAMTON, CORNELL (2022-01-09)

Valley Sports Report
BETHLEHEM — No. 17 Lehigh University registered wins over Binghamton University Friday, and No. 8 Cornell Saturday, and Athens grad A.J. Burkhart was right in the middle of both victories for the Mountain Hawks.

On Friday, Burkhart, a sophomore 184-pounder, gave up an early takedown, but finished off the bout with five takedowns in a 12-4 major decision win over Binghamton’s Sam DePrez, a former New York State Division I champion out of Hilton High School.

Burkhart’s win gave the Mountain Hawks a 21-9 lead with two weight classes remaining.

On Saturday, Burkhart scored a 7-6 win over Cornell’s Jonathan Loew, who is ranked 13th in the nation at 184.

Burkhart scored the first takedown, but Loew, after escaping, responded with a takedown for a 3-2 lead. A reversal gave Burkhart a 4-3 lead after the first two minutes.

Burkhart led 6-5 heading into the third period, where Loew secured the riding time point, before cutting Burkhart loose for a 7-5 lead. Burkhart fended off Loew’s takedown attempts to preserve the win, which gave Lehigh a 9-3 lead.

"AJ moved up three weight classes and he's showing some power now," said Lehigh coach Pat Santoro after the match. "He did a really nice job. He wrestled a really tough kid and wrestled a great match."

Burkhart is now 4-7 on the season and 16-17 for his career.

Lehigh University, now 6-4 overall, with a 2-0 conference mark and a 3-0 record at home, will hosts Columbia Friday.

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IN PHOTO: A.J. Burkhart.