The New York University Wrestling Team opened its 2021-22 season with competition at the Ned McGinley invitational, hosted by King's College in Wilkes-Barre, PA, on Saturday, November 6.
 
NYU finished fourth out of 15 teams with 90 points.

"We're happy with the way our guys competed today from top to bottom," said Senior Assistant Coach Corey Luce. "Some of them haven't wrestled in competition in over 19 months and it didn't show today."

Not only was it a debut for the team this season, it was also the beginning of college careers for many of the wrestlers.
 
Freshman Cooper Pontelandolfo (Marlton, NJ/Kingsway Regional) made the most of his initial collegiate competition, placing first in the 165 bracket and defeating #1 seed Alex Turley of Averitt University with a 12-4 win in the final.

"There's nothing better than winning with my boys by my side," Pontelandolfo said.

"Cooper had a great tournament," added Luce. "He wrestled very smart in his finals match and always continued to put points on the board. I'm proud of him and this team."

Sophomore Anthony Chavez (Fresno, CA/Central East) also made his NYU debut. He placed second in the 149 bracket, defeating four opponents on his way to the finals.
 
Returning junior Jason Geyer (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley) placed second in the 174 bracket, advancing to the finals by shutting out three opponents and posting two major decisions. 

Another returning junior, Tyler Crew (St. Marys, GA/Camden County) advanced to the semifinals of the 125 pound bracket, holding two opponents scoreless along the way.
 
A pair of sophomore newcomers also advanced to the semifinals. Maximus Parra (Piscataway, NJ/Bound Brook) competed in the 157-pound bracket and posted two major-decision victories, while Declan Skelly (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield Memorial) (184) posted one shutout among his three victories. 
 
Junior David Aranda (Huntington Beach, CA/St. John Bosco) made his NYU debut and reached the semifinals in the 285 bracket, also posting a shutout win. 
 
NYU wrestling returns to action on Saturday, November 13, at the Racich Rumble hosted by Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA.