This is simply a false statement and an inaccurate analogy. I was in the St. Louis and watched the finals and the ability to ride an opponent definetly attributed to the outcome of several matches. In the Lee - Bunch match, Lee's ability to ride Bunch and trap Bunch's left leg eliminated much of Bunch's offense. Bunch was unable to utilize his explosive speed and quickness.

In the final matches riding time was a factor in six (6) of the ten (10) matches allowing the champion to control the match.

Championship Finals

125 Pounds
Joe Dubuque (Indiana) dec. Kyle Ott (Illinois), 2-0
With riding time Dubuque wins 2-0


133 Pounds
Travis Lee (Cornell) dec. Shawn Bunch (Edinboro), 6-3
With riding time, Lee wins 6-3


141 Pounds
Teyon Ware (Oklahoma) dec. Nate Gallick (Iowa State), 3-2
No Riding Time

149 Pounds
Zack Esposito (Oklahoma State) dec. Phillip Simpson (Army), 5-2
With riding time, Esposito wins 5-2

157 Pounds
Ryan Bertin (Michigan) dec. Joe Johnston (Iowa), 8-5
With riding time Bertin wins 8-5

165 Pounds
Johny Hendricks (Oklahoma State) dec. Mark Perry (Iowa), 5-2
With riding time Hendricks wins 5-2


174 Pounds
Chris Pendleton (Oklahoma State) dec. Ben Askren (Missouri), 10-5
With riding time Pendleton wins 10-5

184 Pounds
Greg Jones (West Virginia) dec. Tyler Baier (Cornell)
No Riding Time

197 Pounds
Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) dec. Sean Stender (Northern Iowa), 5-4
No Riding Time

285 Pounds
Steve Mocco (Oklahoma State) dec. Cole Konrad (Minnesota), 3-1 SV