Wrestling Southern Conference

Davidson's Bender Captures First Place at Old Dominion Invitational

NORFOLK, VA - Senior Jeff Bender took home first place while two other Wildcat wrestlers made the finals in their respective weight classes of the Old Dominion Invitational, Saturday in the eight-team tournament.

Wrestling in the 157-pound bracket, Bender dispatched of his Shippensburg opponent 2-1 to reach the finals. He then survived an overtime ride out over Andy Martin of TCC-Norfolk to capture the title.

Fellow seniors Ryan Owens (141 pounds) and Jeff Libersat (184) also made the finals. Owens squeaked by his first-round opponent in overtime before upsetting the top seed, Blake Romano of Old Dominion, 11-7 to make the finals. However, Jason Zinn of Shippensburg defeated Owens 14-7 in the championship match.

Libersat received a first-round bye before dominating Shelly Wertz of Shippensburg, 15-4, to earn a spot in the finals.

Sophomores Mark O'Hair (165) and Adam Sperling (149) both finished fourth in their brackets.

The Wildcats continue their tournament competition at the Carolina Open next Saturday, Nov. 24.