Citrus Invitational Results
NWCA National Rankings
The New York University wrestling team posted a second-place finish at the Citrus Invitational, which was held Sunday and Monday, December 29-30, at the Broward County Convention Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
NYU, which is ranked #15 by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), entered Monday's action in third place in the 14-team event, but improved to second place following the second and final day. The squad accumulated 169.5 points, finishing behind defending NCAA National Champion #3-ranked Augsburg University (192 points) but ahead of third-place #7-ranked Baldwin Wallace University (149 points).
NYU also finished ahead of #21-ranked John Carroll University (fourth place - 123.5 points) and #24 Washing & Lee University (sixth place - 97 points).
"In an invitational like this where five teams are nationally-ranked, this finish is a big deal," explained Senior Assistant Coach
Corey Luce.
A pair of NYU wrestlers finished second in their respective brackets. At 157 pounds,
Sean Lyons (Sewell, NJ/St. Joseph's Prep) advanced to the championship bout after posting an 8-4 decision over John Carroll's Sam Gross. Lyons then dropped an 8-2 decision to Ryan Epps of Augsburg in the final. At 197 pounds,
Jack La Corte (Monmouth Beach, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) advanced to the championship match with a fall (2:49) over Austin Amos of Liberty University in the semis before being edged 8-6 by Zeckary Lehman of Baldwin Wallace in the final.
"Sean wrestled the national champ and made a few mistakes, but was right there with him," Luce offered. "He should have a lot of confidence going forward.
"This was Jack's first competition back after injury and we felt he wrestled tough," Luce continued. "He was a takedown away from winning the title, but just fell short. He will only get better."
Izaake Zuckerman (Fairfield, CT/Fairfield Warde) posted a third-place finish at 174. After dropping a decision in the semifinals, he returned to the mat and grinded out a 6-5 decision against Bentley Schwanebeck-Ostermana of Augsburg to capture third place.
Four NYU wrestlers produced fourth-place finishes:
Evan Drill (Neshanic Station, NJ/Somerville) (149),
Kade Loughney (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) (165),
Scott DuPont (Holmdel. NJ/Holmdel) (184), and
Will Ortman (Hopewell Valley, NJ/Hopewell Valley Central) (285).
Several more grapplers placed at the invitational:
Trent Furman (Washington Township, NJ/Westwood Regional) (5th place - 133),
Cole Karam (Bath, PA/Bethlehem Catholic) (6th place - 165),
Tyler Crew (St. Marys, GA/Camden County) (7th place - 125),
Jason Geyer (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley) (7th place - 141), and
Miguel Ruiz (Madera, CA/Madera) (7th place - 184).
As a team, NYU finished the event with the most pins (40), the most technical falls (7) and the most match points (752).
"It was great to have all our starters back to see what this team can really do...and it showed it today," Luce added. "This tournament is tough and our guys were up for the challenge."
The squad returns to action on Saturday, January 4, when NYU hosts The College of New Jersey at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility. The Senior Day match is scheduled to begin at 12:00pm.
