The No. 7 New York University wrestling team opened its season with a first-place finish at the Ned McGinley Invitational, hosted by King's College, on Saturday, November 7, in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

The Violets topped the team standings with 154 points, 14 points ahead of second place, Stevens Institute of Technology, to claim the invitational title.

"Overall we wrestled very well," said Associate Head Coach Corey Luce. "These guys were gritty and got the job done."

Of the Violets' 19 competing wrestlers, seven advanced to the championship bouts, with three capturing individual titles and four with runner-up finishes.

In the 125-pound bracket, No. 15 Xavier Diaz captured the championship after recording four consecutive victories, including two technical falls. He secured the title with a 5-0 decision in the final bout.

No. 7 Alexander Diaz claimed the championship for the Violets in the 133-pound bracket. He earned two technical falls before taking a 5-2 decision and a 14-4 major decision to claim first place.

In the 157-pound bracket, Cole Gibbons secured NYU's third individual championship. He recorded two technical falls and a pin before earning consecutive decisions to claim first place.

Harrison Gordon finished second in the 141-pound bracket after recording three consecutive victories, including two decisions, before falling 8-5 in the championship bout. Teammate Aidan Lee finished fourth in the same weight class.

John Mairano earned runner-up in the 149-pound bracket. He advanced to the finals with four victories, including two major decisions and a fall, before falling in the championship match.

Cristian Gioia finished second in the 174-pound bracket, earning three victories, including two technical falls and a fall, before dropping a 5-8 decision in the championship bout.

Nathan Faxon rounded out NYU's runner-up finishers in the 285-pound bracket. He advanced to the finals with three victories, including three falls, before finishing second.

NYU also saw John Gleason finish fourth in the 165-pound bracket.

The Violets return to the mat Saturday, November 14, at the Racich Rumble, hosted by Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA, at 9:00 a.m.