No. 14 Cornell stops No. 2 Missouri, 20-16 in Ithaca
by Cornell Athletics
Cornell press release
Cardenas' big win, resilient efforts lift Big Red to signature win
ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell senior Jacob Cardenas earned one of the biggest victories of his career, and several other wrestlers turned in gutsy efforts to lift the No. 14 Big Red wrestling team to a signature victory over No. 2 Missouri at Newman Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The Big Red (7-3) won six matches, all against ranked opponents, en route to a 20-16 win over the Tigers (8-1), who suffered their first dual loss this season. Cornell tied its highest ranked win in program history and earned its highest-ranked victory in a home dual.
Cornell's last win over the No. 2 team in the country came against Iowa State at the National Duals in January 2009. Mike Grey, The David Dunlop '59 Head Coach of Wrestling, was the winner at 133 pounds in that dual.
No. 8 Cardenas (197 pounds) sealed the victory for Big Red with a 4-0 win over No. 3 Rocky Elam, a three-time NCAA All-American. Elam is the second-highest-ranked opponent Cardenas has beaten during his career.
After falling behind 6-0, Cornell rallied with resilient performances from No. 2 Vito Arujau (133 pounds) and No. 13 Vince Cornella (141 pounds). Arujau trailed No. 27 Kade Moore 8-3 in the third period before recording two consecutive takedowns and riding the match out for the 10-9 decision. In the next match, Cornella held on for a 9-6 victory over No. 23 Joshua Edmond after an injury stoppage in the third period.
At 149 pounds, No. 28 Ethan Fernandez beat No. 25 Logan Gioffre by decision. Freshman Meyer Shapiro, ranked No. 12 at 157 pounds, followed with a 13-4 victory over three-time All-American Brock Mauller, who came into the dual ranked No. 5.
No. 9 Chris Foca (184 pounds) took down No. 11 Clayton Whiting by major decision.
"Everyone showed up," Grey said after the win. "Facing the No. 2 team in the country, it's going to be a really challenging event. Our guys were ready and prepared mentally and physically. They did a heck of a job. Really proud of their fight. Everyone was gritty."
Cornell Notes and Highlights
* The Big Red won its third straight dual and improved to 7-3 overall.
* Cornell won its second straight dual against Missouri.
* Arujau (5-0), senior Foca (184 pounds, 9-0) and Shapiro (157 pounds, 8-0) stayed unbeaten in duals this season.
* Arujau, 82-8 during his career, ranks 10th in Cornell history in winning percentage (.911).
* Cornell is 71-12 in its last 83 home duals dating back to the 2009-10 season.
Cornell 20, Missouri 16
125: No. 7 Noah Surtin (Missouri) def. No. 133 Brett Ungar by fall
133: No. 2 Vito Arujau (Cornell) def. No. 27 Kade Moore 10-9 by decision
141: No. 13 Vince Cornella (Cornell) def. No. 23 Joshua Edmond 9-6 by decision
149: No. 28 Ethan Fernandez (Cornell) def. No. 25 Logan Gioffre 4-0 by decision
157: No. 12 Meyer Shapiro (Cornell) def. No. 5 Brock Mauller 13-4 by major decision
165: No. 1 Keegan O'Toole (Missouri) def. No. 2 Julian Ramirez 13-5 by major decision
174: No. 6 Peyton Mocco (Missouri) def. Evan Canoyer 8-2 by decision
184: No. 9 Chris Foca (Cornell) def. No. 11 Clayton Whiting 14-1 by major decision
197: No. 8 Jacob Cardenas (Cornell) def. No. 3 Rocky Elam 4-0 by decision
285: No. 6 Zach Elam (Missouri) def. No. 18 Lewis Fernandes 2-1 by decision
Up Next
Cornell hosts Columbia next Friday, Feb. 2, at 6:30 p.m. at Newman Arena.
Missouri press release
No. 2 Wrestling Drops Road Match to No. 14 Cornell
ITHACA, N.Y. – The No. 2-ranked University of Missouri wrestling fell on the road at No. 14 Cornell, 20-16, on Sunday, Jan. 28. Mizzou (8-1, 4-0 Big 12) takes their first dual loss of the season, as Cornell (7-3, 2-1 EIWA) added another impressive non-conference win to their resume.
Missouri's redshirt junior Noah Surtin opened the dual with a huge first-period fall for his third-ranked win of the season. Cornell's returning National Champion Vito Arujau returned to action for the Big Red at 133 pounds, where he mounted a late comeback to knock off redshirt freshman Kade Moore, who led the match going into the third period. The Big Red closed out the first half of the dual with wins at 141, 149, and 157 as well.
To open the second half of the dual, No. 1 ranked junior Keegan O'Toole picked up another impressive win, claiming a 13-5 major decision over returning All-American Julian Ramirez. Redshirt senior Peyton Mocco tacked on his seventh dual-meet victory of the season with an 8-2 decision at 174 pounds. Redshirt senior Zach Elam claimed a victory in the last match of the dual with another ranked win for the Tigers, this time with a 2-1 decision over Cornell's 17th-ranked Lewis Fernandes. The Big Red claimed six matches to knock off the previously unbeaten Tigers, 20-16
MATCH NOTES
- Surtin's fall at 125 marks his eighth total victory this season with bonus points. He currently holds a 61.5% bonus point rate.
O'Toole picked up his 7th win of the season over a ranked opponent, and he now holds wins over the wrestlers ranked 3, 9, 14, 23, 24, 25, 29, and 1 (174).
Elam remains undefeated on the season, with his 17th win coming over another ranked opponent.
UP NEXT
Missouri's next dual action will be on Feb. 4, when the Tigers host No. 5-ranked Oklahoma State at the Hearnes Center for senior night. The dual begins at 1 p.m. CT.
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