ResultsThe New York University wrestling team, ranked #24 in the most recent National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Poll, completed its regular-season of Centennial Conference opponents on Saturday, February 7, defeating Washington and Lee University 37-13 and McDaniel College 27-14 in Lexington, VA.
"I think the biggest emphasis should be on the fact that we went 8-0," said NYU Senior Assistant Coach Corey Luce. "We're proud of these guys for getting through this tough week. We put out a talented team every match that was able to win."With the pair of victories, NYU (18-3, 8-0 Centennial) is now riding an 11-match winning streak heading into both the Centennial Conference and University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships, which both take place on Saturday, February 14. Centennials will be hosted by McDaniel in Westminster, MD, while Case Western Reserve University will host the UAA in Cleveland, OH. NYU will send two competitive contingents to both championship events.
"We have a lot of momentum heading into Centennials and UAAs, and as a coaching staff, we're happy right now," continued Luce.On Saturday in Lexington, the grapplers began with a convincing victory over host Washington and Lee. NYU never trailed the Generals at any point in the match and were led by
Matthew Coppola's major decision (19-8) at 149 pounds.
The squad followed that up with a closer, yet decisive match in its win over McDaniel. During the match, NYU trailed 11-4 entering Coppola's match at 149 pounds. But, the sophomore earned another major decision (12-3) to bring the score to 11-8 in favor of the Green Terror.
"Matt Coppola is on a roll right now and we like where he is," Luce said. "His confidence is building and as we move forward he's someone we believe can eventually make a trip to Nationals."NYU then earned three straight decisions at 157, 165 and 174 pounds to take a 17-11 lead. After a tough loss at 184 pounds,
Brian Anderson (win by fall at 197 pounds) and
William Gockel-Figge (18-5 major decision at heavyweight) closed out the match for the victory.
HIGHLIGHTS:-
Wayne Yuan went 2-0 at 125 pounds for NYU, including an 11-0 major decision against McDaniel.
-
Matt DiGiovanni also went 2-0 at 157 pounds, finishing with a 7-3 decision against the Green Terror.
-
John Messinger finished at 2-0 on the day at 165 pounds. The sophomore recorded a 4-2 decsion against McDaniel.
-
Raymond Jazikoff notched two decision victories on the day at 174 pounds. The freshman topped his opponent from Washington and Lee 7-2, followed by a 6-2 win against his Green Terror counterpart.
"Ray's a kid who started off the season at 149 pounds, bumps up to 157 and has now stepped up to start at 174," said Luce. "You can't give him enough credit for being successful two weight classes above his normal weight. Ray's work ethic in the room day in and day out is very noticable."
- Gockel-Figge also finished 2-0. The sophomore pinned his opponent from Washington and Lee at 197 pounds, followed by a major decision over his opponent from McDaniel at heavyweight.
NYU will be back in action next Saturday for the UAA and Centennial championships.
