Williamsport, Pa. – The eighth-ranked Ithaca wrestling team (9-0) advanced to the semifinals of Lycoming's Budd Whitehill National Duals Friday, beating #27 Messiah 37-6. The Bombers gave up just two points in their eight victories. Ithaca, the second seed in the 20-team field, started the day with a 34-9 win over Rhode Island College in the opening round and beat Hunter 33-7 to reach the quarterfinal round. The Bombers – who are one victory away from the program's 17th 10-win season in the past 26 years -- will face third-seeded Wilkes (ranked 16th nationally) at 10:30 a.m. in one of Friday's semifinals; top-seeded Wisconsin-Whitewater takes on fifth-seeded College of New Jersey in the other semifinal.

Four Bombers went 3-0 in Friday's matches, including junior Willie Horwath (Liberty/Bethlehem, Pa.) and sophomore Blaine Woszczak (Wall/Manasquan, N.J.), who both remained unbeaten in dual matches. Woszczak recorded a 5-0 win at 149 pounds and Horwath followed with a 6-2 win at 157. Both Woszczak (16-3 this season, 48-17 overall) and Horwath (16-2, 71-24) are ranked eighth nationally.

Juniors Chad Winowich (Abington Heights/Clarks Summit, Pa.) and #Joe Goetz# (New Hyde Park Memorial/New Hyde Park) both posted their third win of the day as well.

Winowich recorded a 4-0 decision at 133 to raise his season record to 11-2 (4-0 in duals) and his career mark to 55-26. Goetz is now 3-0 in dual matches after winning 2-0 at heavyweight.

Junior #John Paxos# (Succasunna/Roxbury, N.J.) was a 2-0 winner at 141 and freshman Chris Carabello (Governor Mifflin/Shillington, Pa./Mechanicsburg, Pa.) won by major decision (8-0) at 197; both earned their second win of the day. Paxos is now 14-4 this season and 60-35 as a Bomber. Carabello is 10-4.

Junior Anthony Lebbad (Hopewell Junction/Titusville, N.J.) and sophomore David Priest (Wyomissing/Douglassville, Pa.) posted their first wins of the day to round out Ithaca's winners. Lebbad posted an 11-3 major decision and Priest was a 3-0 winner over an opponent ranked ninth nationally at 165 pounds. Lebbad improved his season record to 4-8 and Priest (40-17 in his career) is 14-3 this winter.

The 20-team field includes nine nationally ranked teams.

125: Anthony Lebbad (IC) major dec. Danny Lethbridge (MC), 11-3
133: Chad Winowich (IC) dec. Rich Pennisi (MC), 4-0
141: John Paxos (IC) dec. Alex DeHart (MC), 2-0
149: Blaine Woszczak (IC) dec. Mike Bressler (MC), 5-0
157: Willie Horwath (IC) dec. Craig Gin (MC), 6-2
165: Arthur Milner (MC) dec. Scott Edwards (Liberty/Bethlehem, Pa.), 5-0
174: David Priest (IC) dec. Trent Zempel (MC), 3-0
184: Tim Stewart (MC) dec. Tom Heckman (Cedar Cliff/Mechanicsburg, Pa.), 3-1
197: Chris Carabello (IC) dec. Tim Hopkins (MC), 8-0
285: Joe Goetz (IC) dec. Arkadiy Levitin (HC), 3-1