ITHACA, N.Y. – For the second week in a row, a Cornell freshman wrestler pulled an upset that earned the attention of the college world. For the second straight week, that wrestler was rewarded as the EWIA Wrestler of the Week. This time, it is
Brian Realbuto receiving the accolades.
For Realbuto, the upset of seventh-ranked Joey Napoli of Lehigh in the 157-pound match of Sunday's dual wasn't so much the final result as how it happened.
Realbuto dominated the previously unbeaten Napoli from the whistle, taking down the senior 18 seconds into the match and catching him for two near-fall points to make it 4-0 before capturing nearly three minutes of ride time to close out the period. Napoli took bottom trailing 4-0, and not only did the rookie ride him out, but he also turned him for two more near-fall points to go into the final period with a 6-0 lead and ride time locked in. Realbuto escaped with 42 seconds to spare and used his more than three minutes on top to take home the 8-0 major decision.
Realbuto's victory helped the Big Red to a 33-7 win in the dual, improving Cornell's record to 4-0 on the year. He is now 23-4 on the season.
Gabe Dean was named EIWA Wrestler of the Week last weekend after ending the 84-match win streak of Penn State's Ed Ruth in the finals of the Southern Scuffle.