Moley Clinches All-American Honors

ST. LOUIS, MO-- Bloomsburg University wrestler Matt Moley (Phoenixville/Spring-Ford) guaranteed himself All-American honors for the second straight year at the 2009 NCAA Division I wrestling championships. Moley becomes the first Bloomsburg wrestler since Dave Morgan in 1988 and 1989 to earn All-American honors in back-to-back seasons. Moley, who finished eighth at the NCAA championships last year, is still in contention to finish as high as third at this year's championships.

In Moley's first match of the day he beat Jedd Moore of Virginia, 11-1. Moley was in control from start to finish in the match getting a takedown and two, two-point near falls in the opening period to go on top 6-0. Moley added a second period takedown before Moore finally got on the board with an escape. In the third Moley got one more takedown and a point for riding time to win 11-1.

In the fourth round of consolation's Moley downed Joseph Knox of Chattanooga by a 6-1 score. Leading 2-0 after two periods, Moley picked up a takedown and a two-point near fall to win 6-1.

Moley guaranteed himself All-American status with a win over Cyler Sanderson of Iowa State by a 5-2 score in round five of consolations. After no scoring in the first period, Sanderson escaped for the only point of the second period. In the third period, Moley chose bottom and escaped to knot the score. He then scored two takedowns sandwiched around a Sanderson escape to win by a 5-2 score.

In round six of the consolations, Moley inched his way closer to consolation final with an 8-3 win over Chase Pami of Cal Poly. Moley was once again in control of the match recording two takedowns and a two-point near fall. The win was the fourth of the tournament for Moley and his 35th of the year against just six losses. The 35 wins are a career-high for the junior. Moley will now face the loser of the match between second seed Michael Poeta of Illinois and Jordan Leen of Cornell in the consolation semifinals.

Ricky Schmelyun (New Oxford/Bermudian Springs) was eliminated from the tournament in the third round of consolations by second-seeded Nick Marble of Missouri. In the first period Marble got a takedown then rode Schmelyun who escaped with 1:35 left in the period. In the second period, Schmelyun chose top and rode Marble for the entire period. In the third, both wrestlers were taking shots, before Marble scored a takedown right at the buzzer to win 4-1.

Action will conclude on Saturday at Scott Trade Center in St. Louis.