Cooper Pontelandolfo and Evan Anderson represented New York University's wrestling team on day one of the NCAA Division III Championships in Roanoke, VA on Friday, as Pontelandolfo guaranteed himself All-America status with his pair of victories.

Pontelandolfo, who is NYU's returning All-American in the 165-pound bracket, began his day by defeating fourth-seeded Nathan Fuller of Wartburg College in a 3-0 decision. This was an impressive victory for Pontelandolfo, who was ranked 11th at 165 in the NWCA's latest poll, as Fuller was ranked fifth in the weight class.

In his second bout of the day, Pontelandolfo fell to fifth-seeded and 12th-ranked Nick Sacco of TCNJ in a close, 2-1 decision. But, the sophomore secured All-America status by topping Loras College's Gabe Fiser 2-1 in double overtime thanks to his riding time advantage. Pontelandolfo can finish as high as third but no lower than eighth, taking on Jordan Hardrick of Ohio Northern University in his first match tomorrow.

Anderson, a freshman and NYU's first-ever heavyweight national qualifier, came in as the seventh seed in the 285-pound bracket and defeated Stevens Institute of Technology's Michael Dooley in a 6-3 decision to begin the day.

However, second-seeded Donovan King of Olivet College bested Anderson via fall in the quarterfinals. Then, eighth-seeded Michael Douglas defeated Anderson in an 8-4 decision to end the NYU freshman's strong rookie season.

Day two of competition in Roanoke begins at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.