ST. LOUIS, MO – Rider University wrestling graduate student Jesse Dellavecchia (Great River, NY/East Islip [Binghamton]) pinned top-seeded Ryan Deakin of Northwestern Friday night in the biggest win in Rider Wrestling history. Dellavecchia becomes the Broncs' first-ever wrestler to advance to the National Championship bout, where he'll face Iowa State's David Carr, the No. 3 seed in the tournament, Saturday night at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
Earlier in the day in the quarterfinals, Dellavecchia was leading Penn State's Brady Berge, 2-0, when Berge was injured and had to default. The win made Dellavecchia Rider's 16th different wrestler to earn All-America honors.