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JMU Pulls Out Win Over American, 29-18
Pelligrino among four winners for the Eagles

January 11, 2003

Junior Matt Pelligrino

WASHINGTON -- Junior Matt Pelligrino (Manalapan, N.J./Freehold) earned his first dual meet win of the season for American University as the Eagles fell to James Madison by a score of 29-18 in Bender Arena Saturday afternoon.

AU had four winners on the day as Aviv Bercovicz (Ocean, N.J./Ocean Township), Aaron Baker (Amarillo, Texas/Tascosa) and Jared Hyman (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) were all victorious.

Bercovicz earned a 7-3 decision over Kevin Gaughan at the 149-lb. division for American's first points before Baker cut the deficit to 11-9 with a fall over Brian Hanifan at 165 pounds.

The Eagles soon lost momentum as they suffered two pins and then a forfeit at 197 pounds that cost them an opportunity to win. Hyman and Pelligrino, however, finished the meet up strong.

A junior heavyweight contender, Hyman earned an 18-15 decision over Matt Coffey that included a three-point near fall in the first period. Pelligrino then earned a fall over Brian Kibler for his first points this season. Leading 6-2 after one, Pelligrino held onto a slim 7-4 advantage after two before pulling away in the final seconds.

American heads to Old Dominion on January 17 for a 7 p.m. start.

JAMES MADISON 29, AMERICAN 18
125: Matt Pelligrino (AU) won by fall Brian Kibler (JMU) 6:52
133: Jon Huesdash (JMU) technical fall Eric Levine (AU) 1:46
141: Pat Diaz (JMU) decision Tom Kniezewski (AU) 8-3
149: Aviv Bercovicz (AU) decision Kevin Gaughan (JMU) 7-3
157: Brian Consolvo (JMU) decision Eric Fantegrossi (AU) 5-2
165: Aaron Baker (AU) won by fall Brian Hanifan (JMU)
174: Jeremy Rankin (JMU) fall Adam Montgomery (AU) 2:41
184: Matt Martin (JMU) won by fall Kyle Mason (AU) 1:39
197: Steve Kodish (JMU) won by forfeit
HWT: Jared Hyman (A) decision Matt Coffey (JMU) 18-15