RESULTS:
#14 NYU 27, #16 USCGA 9
#14 NYU 46, BSU 6
#14 NYU 37, WPI 9
The New York University wrestling team improved its overall record to 15-4 with three decisive dual victories on Saturday, February 4. The matches were hosted by Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA.
NYU, ranked #14 in the most recent National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) poll, opened up its afternoon with a 27-9 win over #16 United States Coast Guard Academy. The squad follow up their early win with victories against the host Bears (45-6) and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (37-9).
"This was the best I've seen our guys wrestle all season," said Senior Assistant Coach
Corey Luce. "Everyone wrestled aggressively and kept attacking to put points up on the board."
Nathan Pike (133 pounds),
Sean Lyons (141 pounds),
Raymond Jazikoff (157 pounds) and
John Messinger (174) each won all three of their bouts on the day to lead the squad, while
Anthony Calvano (125 pounds),
Matthew Coppola (149 pounds) and
Blaise Benderoth (184 pounds) were each undefeated in two bouts.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- The grapplers recorded five falls against Bridgewater St., with each coming in 3:32 or less. Pike added a technical fall in the win aginst the Bears.
- Each of Lyons' and Messinger's three wins were bonus point victories. Both won two bouts by fall and one by major decision.
- Pike also added a technical fall victory against WPI, shutting out his opponent 16-0 in 2:15.
- Messinger improved his record to 29-3 this season. The senior captain now has 108 career wins.
NYU returns to action next Sunday, February 12, when it hosts the 2017 University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan. The five-time defending champions are slated to take the mat at 12:45pm against the loser of the 11:00am match between the University of Chicago and Case Western Reserve University.
"We now have some momentum heading into the big UAA matches next weekend," concluded Luce. "We're looking forward to it."
