The New York University wrestling team had a strong day, as it went 2-1 when it traveled to Ewing, NJ, to compete in the Metro/New England Duals on Saturday, January 29.
The grapplers earned victories over the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Roger Williams University, while their defeat came at the hands of Williams College.
In its first match of the day, NYU defeated Coast Guard 23-15.
Three straight wins in the 133, 141 and 149 weight classes put NYU ahead early. Steven Contino (133) started the run by posting a 4-2 decision victory. Clement Bommier (141) followed with a 10-1 major decision win. Finally, in the 149-pound match, Dan Gorman pinned his opponent in 2:15, giving NYU a 13-5 lead.
After the teams traded points in the next few rounds, back-to-back wins by Sabino Galassi (184) and David Rice (197) sealed the victory for NYU. Galassi pulled out a 3-1 decision win and Rice, who normally wrestles in the 165-pound class, capped off a strong first match for the grapplers with a 13-4 major decision victory.
In the match that followed, the grapplers led Williams through seven weight classes before falling 28-16.
After forfeiting at 125 and losing the 141- and 149-pound bouts, NYU found itself trying to battle back from a 13-3 deficit early on. In the three matches that followed, a forfeit win by John Dack (157) and victories by Matt Magill (165) and Rice (174) gave the grapplers a 16-13 lead. However, the team was unable to hold on and dropped the last three weight classes.
NYU bounced back from that defeat with a 20-16 win over Roger Williams.
Like its match against U.S. Coast Guard earlier in the day, NYU came out strong with three straight victories. Will Ladnier (125), Contino (133) and Bommier (141) gave the grapplers an 11-0 advantage, a lead that they never relinquished. Once again, back-to-back wins by Galassi (184) and Rice (197) ensured NYU a victory.
"Against Roger Williams, everything fell into place perfectly," said assistant coach Corey Luce. "This was Will's first match back from injury, and for him to start us off with a win was great. Sam Galassi wrestled a great match. He was down early on, but he battled back and tied the match with only a few seconds left, which sent it into overtime. And in overtime he came back and beat the guy."
Several NYU wrestlers had impressive performances throughout the day. Contino (133), Magill (165) and Rice (174, 197) all went 3-0.
Contino consistently scored points for NYU in the early rounds, helping the team jump out to quick leads. His last victory, a 17-1 technical decision, was crucial in the team's victory over Roger Williams.
Magill continued his impressive season with three decision victories. With his third win of the day Magill reached 100 victories in his collegiate career.
"Magill reaching 100 wins, that is a huge milestone," remarked Luce. "Only a handful of guys in NYU history have done that, and his 100th win also helped us win that match."
Having to fill in at the 197 and 174 weight classes, Rice could not have been asked to do much more. He turned in two major decision wins in his first two bouts, and his last victory, a 6-3 decision over Bobby Markowski of Roger Williams, gave NYU a 10-point lead, guaranteeing a win for the team.
"I can't say enough about David Rice," said Luce. "For him to move up three weight classes and go 3-0 is remarkable. In college wrestling, against the athletes that we face, something like that almost never happens. He had a tremendous day and stepped up big time for us."
NYU is now 4-7 in dual meets this season.
"Overall, our guys wrestled tough today," said Luce. "For us to win two out of three before the UAA (University Athletic Association) Championships next week is a big morale booster."
The wrestlers will host the UAA Championships next Saturday, Februrary 5, at Coles Sports Center.
Results:
New York University 23, United States Coast Guard Academy 15
Weight-by-weight
125: Joseph Kidwell (USCGA) tech. fall Will Ladnier (NYU), 15-0 (4:06)
133: Steven Contino (NYU) win by dec. Josh Gerry (USCGA), 4-2
141: Clement Bommier (NYU) maj. dec. John Tabb (USCGA), 10-1
149: Dan Gorman (NYU) fall Mike Gilbert (USCGA), 2:15
157: Andy Snyder (USCGA) dec. John Dack (NYU), 9-4
165: Matt Magill (NYU) dec. Will Stark (USCGA), 5-2
174: Lucas Taylor (USCGA) maj. dec. Piotr Puchalski (NYU), 13-4
184: Sabino Galassi (NYU) dec. Patrick Leavitt (USCGA), 3-1
197: David Rice (NYU) maj. dec. Greg Bredariol (USCGA), 13-4
HWT: John Manganiello (USCGA) dec. Rudy De La Cruz (NYU), 6-3
#30 Williams College 28, New York University 16
Weight-by-weight
125: Josh Mattana (WC) by forfeit
133: Steven Contino (NYU) dec. Kaison Tanabe (WC), 5-3
141: Carson Brooks (WC) dec. Clement Bommier (NYU), 5-6
149: Corey Paulish (WC) maj. dec. Dan Gorman (NYU), 3-12
157: John Dack (NYU) by forfeit
165: Matt Magill (NYU) dec. Kyle Martin (WC), 8-2
174: David Rice (NYU) maj. dec. Zeb Levine (WC), 12-3
184: Mike Lomio (WC) dec. Sabino Galassi (NYU), 5-7
197: Ryan Malo (WC) by forfeit
HWT: Tom Foote (WC) fall Rudy De La Cruz (NYU), 1:39
New York University 20, Roger Williams University 16
Weight-by-weight
125: Will Ladmier (NYU) dec. John Lemoine (RWU), 7-3
133: Steven Contino (NYU) tech. fall Derek Juchnik (RWU), 17-1 (4:57)
141: Clement Bommier (NYU) dec. Mike Forlenza (RWU), 8-5
149: Kevin Edward (RWU) dec. Dan Gorman (NYU), 8-6
157: Colin Crowell (RWU) dec. John Dack (NYU), 7-1
165: Matt Magill (NYU) dec. Kyle D'Urso (RWU), 11-3
174: Shane Parcel (RWU) maj. dec. Jakub Pawlowski (NYU), 11-3
184: Sabino Galassi (NYU) dec. Phil Ernst (RWU), 7-5
197: David Rice (NYU) dec. Bobby Markowski (RWU), 6-3
HWT: Nick Cambi (RWU) fall Rudy De La Cruz (NYU), 0:47
