NWCA National Duals Results The New York University wrestling team competed at the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Cliff Keen National Duals on January 9, in Fort Wayne, IN.
NYU, ranked #26 by the NWCA, defeated Wheaton (IL) 26-16 in its third match of the day after dropping its opening match against #23 Olivet College, 19-16, and falling to #24 Loras College, 30-7.
The squad improved to 8-3 on the season after the victory against Wheaton. Eight different NYU wrestlers earned wins against the Thunder.
NYU's match against Olivet was tight throughout, as the lead changed several times and neither team led by more than seven points during the contest. The squads were tied 16-16 heading into the final bout of the match.
"Tough loss, but a lot of a positive things to take away," said Senior Assistant Coach
Corey Luce.
Against Loras, NYU got off to a strong start with a win at 125 pounds, but went on to win only one other bout at 184 pounds.
"It's tough to win with two of your horses out of the lineup," said Head Coach
Bruce Haberli referring to the absence of
Brandon Jones (141) and
John Messinger (165). "I'm still proud of the way we competed at a national top-caliber event."
In addition to the National Duals, 11 different NYU wrestlers also competed in the Mat Mayhem College Open, also held in Ft. Wayne, IN.
Wayne Yuan,
DJ Albonico and
Raymond Jazikoff each placed at the individual event. Albonico (149) and Jazikoff (157) each won their first four matches of the day before falling in the finals to earn second-place finishes. Yuan (125) lost in the second round to the eventual champion, but battled through the consolation bracket to win third place.
HIGHLIGHTS vs. Olivet:- Senior captain
Matt DiGiovanni wrestled in, and won, his first bout of the season. Competing at 157 pounds, the Cranford, NJ, native recorded a win by fall in 3:58.
"Matt's return to the lineup for the first time this season gave us a chance to win the match," added Luce.
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Nathan Pike picked up his third major decision victory of the season at 133 pounds. The junior improved to 7-4 on the season.
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Matthew Coppola won a tight 3-2 bout for his 11th win of the season at 149 pounds.
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Patrick Sheehan recorded a win at 184 pounds to improve to 12-3 overall this season. The senior captain's victory helped NYU regain the lead late in the contest.
HIGHLIGHTS vs. Loras:-
Jacob Donato earned a 5-2 sudden victory decision at 125 pounds.
- Sheehan won his second bout of the day at 184 pounds by a 9-0 major decision.
HIGHLIGHTS vs. Wheaton:- Sheehan recorded his third victory to complete a perfect day at 184 pounds. The senior captain posted an 8-1 decision over Wheaton's Dan Olsen, an All-American in 2012-13.
- DiGiovanni won by fall in 57 seconds. The victory was his second pin of the day and came against Mark Savenok, an All-American in 2013-14.
- Donato, Pike and Coppola each picked up their second wins of the day.
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Nick Matthews and
Brian Anderson both recorded their first victories of the day.
The squad will be back in action next Saturday, January 17, in a tri-match at Plymouth State University, in Plymouth, NH. NYU will compete against the host Panthers and Bridgewater State University. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 12:00 pm.
