March 16, 2006

Oklahoma City, Okla. - Duquesne University junior Jared Ricotta (Morrisdale, PA / West Branch), the school's lone qualifier at this week's NCAA Wrestling Championship, finished day one of the competition with a 1-1 record in the 174 pound class.

In his opening round match on Thursday at Oklahoma State's Ford Center, Ricotta was defeated by the no, 8 seed Travis Frick of Lehigh via a 15-5 decision. In his first wrestleback, i.e., in the consolation bracket, Ricotta pinned Wyoming's Bryan Bernal at 6:13. This is his second straight NCAA Championship appearance.

His win gives the Dukes 2.5 points which is tied for 52nd of the 68 schools competiting at this three-day event.

Friday morning, Ricotta will meet Matthew Palmer of Columbia who was pinned by the no. 3 seed, Mark Perry of Iowa