By Tim Robertson
The two-time All-American stepped into the center of the mat at home for the first time in 11 months hoping to turn the tide of the match in the Pride’s favor. Senior Jon Masa provided that spark and performed an electrifying show for the 1400 in attendance.
Masa was granted a one semester Olympic waiver by the NCAA in November allowing him to compete down the stretch for the Pride, and picked up right where he left off last season, with a convincing 12-4 win over fourth ranked Eric Tennenbaum at 141 pounds. He earned his third place finish at the NCAA championships last March against the Michigan wrestler.
Masa wrestled very physical in his first dual match. Tennenbaum attempted to takedown Masa, but was countered with a hard, but smooth takedown of his own for the match’s first two points. Masa continued his physical wrestling with an eye-popping takedown as he flipped Tennenbaum over his back to the mat sending the crowd into awe and frenzy. “When he is ready and does everything right, I do not know how you can beat him,” Pride coach Tom Ryan says. “He is explosive in every position, he is dangerous from everywhere.”
Masa’s less than surprising performance started the ball rolling for the Pride who then took two of the next three matches.
James Strouse struggled for control with Michigan’s Jeff Marsh at 157 pounds, but 2:30 into the match brought Marsh to the mat for a takedown. From that point on, Strouse had Marsh wrestling very defensively which led to two more takedowns for Strouse.
The Pride’s third victory came from senior captain Mike Patrovich. Ranked fourth in the country at 174 pounds, Patrovich squared off against seventh ranked Nick Roy. Patrovich lost quick two points on a weak takedown to begin the match, but quickly countered with the first of three leg sweeps for takedowns. “I faked on that leg a few times and he did not react,” Patrovich says. “I knew if I kept attacking that leg I would get him.”
Patrovich continued his habit of riling up the crowd, then feeding of the energy. “At home the crowd is a big deal,” Patrovich said. “Every time you score a point the crowd goes nuts.” The captain’s 11-6 win marked his 14th of the season against only one loss.
Junior Chris Weidman gathered the fourth and final win for the Pride at 197 pounds doing what he needed to in order to pick up his seventh victory overall and his third in dual matches. Weidman showed his strength over Casey White by taking him down twice during the match.
The Pride dropped the match to the fifth-ranked Wolverines and its third to Michigan in a row. The Pride is now 1-9 all-time against Michigan.
The Pride will battle West Virginia (0-1), a top 30 opponent, at the University’s Arena next. They will be without 125 pound wrestler Dave Tomassette who injured his leg in his 7-5 defeat to Mike Watts of Michigan.
Coach Ryan knows it is imperative to fill the slate with difficult competition. Ryan believes that bringing teams like Michigan and West Virginia to the Arena are not to showcase the other schools’ programs. “There is no reason not to schedule teams like this throughout the year,” he said. “We can win these matches.”
The Pride will need the experienced Masa and their captain Patrovich to fuel the team’s momentum. However, the Pride must have a healthy lineup down the stretch in order to win.