RESULTS THROUGH DAY ONE

LA CROSSE, Wisc. – The Oswego State wrestling team had members make its first appearance at the NCAA Championships in four years, with three competing on Friday at the national tournament – hosted by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Evan Corso and Rocco Russo bowed out gracefully on the first day while Jordan Bushey advances to the final day on Saturday and has earned All-America status by finishing in the top-eight nationally. It is the 47th All-America citation the wrestling program at Oswego State has earned in its illustrious history and the first since John Spinner earned the honor in 2006. Head Coach Mike Howard has guided the last 18 of those All-Americans during his time at the helm. 

Bushey wrestled three matches on Friday, starting with a 5-3 decision over Bryan Levsen of Wartburg University. In his second match, the No. 4-seed drew fifth-seeded Justin Kreiter of Luther College. Bushey was able to score the bouts first point but Kreiter rattled off seven-straight points for a 7-1 decision. It was Bushey's first loss of his collegiate career but it did not deter the 184-pounder. He bounced back in the consolation bracket with a convincing 10-2 major decision – including a four-point nearfall – over University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Grant Wedepohl. Bushey will wrestle Saturday morning against second-seeded Christopher Chorzepa of Williams College.

Corso had the first match of the day for the Lakers in the 133-pound weight class. The freshman had the tough draw of the class' No. 1 seed, Troy Stanich of Stevens Institute of Technology. Stanich was able to pin Corso at 2:51 of the first period, putting the Laker in the wrestle-back bracket. Later in the day, Corso had an early 4-2 lead over his Washington & Lee opponent but eventually fell by 9-6 decision to finish his time at nationals. Corso wrapped the year with a strong 26-14 campaign.

The 157-pound Russo drew the No. 4 seed for his first match of the day. Russo battled tough through a scoreless first period but Ursinus' Derek Arnold wound up with a 5-0 win to put the Oswego into the consolation bracket. In that bracket, Russo drew Jimmy Davis of Loras College. Russo seemed to be in control with a 4-1 lead through a pair of periods. Davis was able to flip the script in the final period, however, recording two, four-point near-falls for a 13-5 major decision. Russo finishes the year 11-4.