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No. 13 UNI Overpowers American Wrestling
Eagles' late success not enough against Panthers

February 15, 2003

Aviv Bercovicz defeated UNI's Steve Ertl in overtime at 149-lbs.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The American University registered three wins against No. 13 Northern Iowa but lost 28-12 Saturday night in West Gym.

Adam Montgomery (Belmont, Calif./Junipero Serra) was impressive at 174-lbs., capturing a win by fall over Josh Lawrenz at 4:41. The two were tangled at 4-4 after the first period but Montgomery's early aggression paid off with a sitting pin in the second.

AU junior Aviv Bercovicz (Ocean, N.J./Ocean Township) kept Panther Steve Ertl within striking distance throughout at 149-lbs., trailing 2-1 at the end of the first and 4-3 after two periods. Tied at 5-5 when Bercovicz retaliated with a takedown in the third, it took the Eagle just five seconds to win 7-5 in overtime with a takedown.

At 165-lbs., American's Aaron Baker (Amarillo, Texas./Tascosa) was tied with Jeff Harrison 3-3 after two and registered a pair of takedowns in the third for a 7-5 lead. With 30 seconds left, Harrison responded with an escape to come within one, but Baker secured the win with his third takedown and a 9-7 decision.

American heads to Virginia on Saturday, Feb. 22 for a 1 p.m. start. It will be the Eagles' last dual meet before the EIWA National Qualifiers on Mar. 5-6 at Cornell University.

NORTHERN IOWA , AMERICAN
125 - Chris Helegeson (UNI) technical fall Matt Pellegrino (AU) 22-7 -- 5-0
133 - Pat Garcia (UNI) technical fall Dan Lobsenz (AU) 19-3 (2:42) -- 10-0
141 - Mark Manchio (UNI) technical fall Tom Kniezewski (AU) 18-3 -- 15-0
149 - Aviv Bercovicz (AU) decision Steve Ertl 7-5 (7:05) -- 15-3
157 - Josh Watts (UNI) win by fall Eric Fantegrossi (AU) (1:51) -- 21-3
165 - Aaron Baker (AU) decision Jeff Harrison (UNI) 9-7 -- 21-6
174 - Adam Montgomery (AU) win by fall Josh Lawrenz (4:41) -- 21-12
184 - Jordan Holm (UNI) technical fall Kyle Mason (AU) 24-9 -- 25-12
197 - Double Forfeit
HWT - Michael Shedek (UNI) decision Jared Hyman (AU) 6-3 -- 28-12