LAS VEGAS – Harvard wrestling first-years Philip Conigliaro and Yaraslau Slavikouski led the way for the Crimson on Day 1 of the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on Friday.
Competing at 165 pounds, Conigliaro, who entered the tournament undefeated at 8-0, ran his unblemished mark to 10 consecutive matches with decisions over Cornell's Milik Dawkins (6-0) and Edinboro's Derek Ciavarro (6-1). The Dedham, Massachusetts native, however, had his streak end in the quarterfinals with an 8-0 major decision loss to Andrew Fogarty of North Dakota State.
Meanwhile at 285 pounds, Slavikouski picked up a 9-4 decision in the round of 32 against Binghamton's Joe Doyle, setting up a showdown with Christian Lance of Nebraska. The first-year was ultimately edged by decision, 6-5, sending Slavikouski to the consolation bracket.
Undeterred, Slavikouski rebounded in the consolation round of 16, earning a 12-4 major decision against Cal State Bakersfield's Jarrod Snyder. Then to wrap up his day, the heavyweight took down Thomas Penola of Purdue, 3-2.
Both Conigliaro and Slavikouski will compete on Saturday in the consolation bracket with a chance to finish as high as third place.
Results
125 Pounds
Round of 32 – Brandon Courtney (Arizona State) over Beau Bayless (Harvard), Maj. Dec. 13-5
Consolation Round of 16 – Jacob Schwarm (Northern Iowa) over Beau Bayless (Harvard), Fall 1:11
133 Pounds
Round of 32 – Charles Tucker (Cornell) over Michael Jaffe (Harvard), Dec. 7-4
Consolation Round of 16 – Seth Koleno (Clarion) over Michael Jaffe (Harvard), Dec. 14-12
141 Pounds
Round of 32 – Luke Pletcher (Ohio State) over Lukus Stricker (Harvard), Dec, 9-5
Consolation Round of 16 – Gerard Daly (Sacred Heart) over Lukus Stricker (Harvard), Dec. 7-3
149 Pounds
Round of 32 – Russell Rohlfing (Cal State Bakersfield) over Aaron Kruk (Harvard), TF 16-0
Consolation Round of 16 – Reece Heller (Hofstra) over Aaron Kruk (Harvard), Maj. Dec. 15-3
165 Pounds
Round of 32 – Philip Conigliaro (Harvard) over Milik Dawkins (Cornell), Dec. 6-0
Round of 16 – Philip Conigliaro (Harvard) over Derek Ciavarro (Edinboro), Dec. 6-1
Quarterfinals – Andrew Fogarty (North Dakota State) over Philip Conigliaro (Harvard), Maj. Dec. 8-0
184 Pounds
Round of 32 – Owen Webster (Minnesota) over Mike Doggett (Harvard), TF 17-0
Consolation Round of 16 – Kyle Davis (Sacred Heart) over Mike Doggett (Harvard), Dec. 8-2
285 Pounds
Round of 32 – Yaraslau Slavikouski (Harvard) over Joe Doyle (Binghamton), Dec. 9-4
Round of 16 – Christian Lance (Nebraska) over Yaraslau Slavikouski (Harvard), Dec. 6-5
Consolation Round of 16 – Yaraslau Slavikouski (Harvard) over Jarrod Snyder (Cal State Bakersfield), Maj. Dec. 12-4
Consolation Round of 8 – Yaraslau Slavikouski (Harvard) over Thomas Penola (Purdue), Dec. 3-2
Next Up
Harvard returns to action Dec. 7, when it completes at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in Las Vegas, Nevada.
