BRIDGEWATER, MA—The Ephs traveled to Bridgewater State University this weekend to compete in the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) "Headlock for Hunger" Dual Meet Championship. The day also included a Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and several other awards.
Of the 14 Division III wrestling teams competing in the tournament, #3 Roger Williams University ended up on top, besting #1 Springfield in the championship match.
In the first round of the tournament, #5 Williams toppled #12 Plymouth State 32-18. The Ephs fell to #4 Rhode Island College 17-22 in the second round, but rebounded in the third round to defeat #8 Coast Guard Academy 30-16. In their final match of the day, the Williams wrestlers bested #6 WPI 25-9 to claim 5th place in the tournament.
"Our guys wrestled their hearts out today," head coach Scott Honecker reported. "We've been making the best of a bad situation wrestling through some injuries, but they really brought it this weekend," he added.
In regards to the dual with Rhode Island College, Honecker said it was "nip and tuck and we were disappointed the final result didn't go our way." As for the rest of the match: "the team did a great job of refocusing and responding with resounding wins over Coast Guard and WPI."
Freshman Martin Strenk (174) went undefeated the whole day, his four wins including a major decision and two pins.
"Martin Strenk was deserving of his all tournament team honors," Honecker delared, "that kid has really turned up the heat lately."
Anthony Brooks (197) ended the day with 3 wins including a 4:34 pin against his Plymouth State opponent.
"Anthony Brooks is just a different wrestler than the ones who took the mats for us last year," the head coach remarked. "His attacks look good and he isn't making mistakes."
Daniel Seidita (125) met stiff competition this weekend ultimately going 1-3 on the day.
Daniel Evangelakos (133) went 3-1, defeating his Plymouth State opponent with a 3:44 technical fall.
After winning his first match, senior Carson Brooks (141) met challenging opponents the rest of the day, finishing 1-3.
Austin Wruble and Tim Garripoli represented Williams in the 149 weight class. Garripoli took over after the first round, finishing 1-2 on the day.
Jorge Lopez (157) sat out the first round of the tournament, coming in later to secure 3 personal wins, which included a 3:23 pin.
After three close duals, Kyle Gaffney (165) came alive in the final match, defeating his WPI opponent.
Dan Kurnick and Christopher Chorzepa shared time at 184, Chorzepa going undefeated his three duals.
Ben Wertz (285) went 3-1 on the day, defeating several skilled opponents.
Next weekend the Ephs will be hosting Hunter, TCNJ, and Cenetary for our NEWA/Metro Duals.
The full results of the tournament can be found here.
First Round
#5 Williams (WIL) 32 vs. #12 Plymouth State (PSU) 18
125 Daniel Seidita (WIL) WBF FORFEIT F FOR
133 Daniel Evangelakos (WIL) WBD Jared Ballew (PSU) TF-5 15-0; 3:44
141 Carson Brooks (WIL) WBD Fred Reisch (PSU) D 2-0
149 Alex Gerhold (PSU) WBD Austin Wruble (WIL) D 2-0
157 Alex Cronin (PSU) WBF FORFEIT F FOR
165 Clay Callahan (PSU) WBD Kyle Gaffney (WIL) D 5-2
174 Martin Strenk (WIL) WBF Taylor Lozier (PSU) F 1:40
184 Chris Perreault (PSU) WBF Dan Kurnick (WIL) F 1:55
197 Anthony Brooks (WIL) WBF Justtin Demers (PSU) F 4:34
285 Ben Wertz (WIL) WBF Jeff Reynolds (PSU) F 2:30
Second Round
#5 Williams (WIL) 17 vs. #4 Rhode Island College (RIC) 22
125 Jonathan Murray (RIC) WBD Daniel Seidita (WIL) M 13-0
133 Jonathan Costa (RIC) WBD Daniel Evangelakos (WIL) D 7-1
141 Ricondo Cole (RIC) WBF Carson Brooks (WIL) F 2:52
149 Joseph Slane (RIC) WBD Tim Garripoli (WIL) D 3-2
157 Jorge Lopez (WIL) WBD Kyle Lake (RIC) M 14-4
165 Brandon Conrad (RIC) WBD Kyle Gaffney (WIL) D 3-2
174 Martin Strenk (WIL) WBD Robert Sotelo (RIC) M 14-6
184 Christopher Chorzepa (WIL) WBF Brohen Krsulic (RIC) F 6:17
197 Anthony Brooks (WIL) WBD John Georges (RIC) D 5-2
285 Brian Nicoll (RIC) WBD Ben Wertz (WIL) D 5-1
Consolation Round
#5 Williams (WIL) 30 vs. #8 Coast Guard Academy (CGA) 16
125 Earl Roberts (CGA) WBF Daniel Seidita (WIL) F 6:35
133 Daniel Evangelakos (WIL) WBF FORFEIT F FOR
141 Mike Giorgio (CGA) WBD Carson Brooks (WIL) M 10-2
149 Tim Garripoli (WIL) WBF Matthew Vieira (CGA) F 1:14
157 Jorge Lopez (WIL) WBF Steve Kidwell (CGA) F 3:23
165 Mike Shermot (CGA) WBD Kyle Gaffney (WIL) D 9-5
174 Martin Strenk (WIL) WBF Dean Gilbert (CGA) F 2:58
184 Christopher Chorzepa (WIL) WBD Marc Wagner (CGA) D 5-3
197 Mark Howard (CGA) WBD Anthony Brooks (WIL) D 4-3
285 Ben Wertz (WIL) WBD Kevin Painten (CGA) D 1-0
Fifth Place Match
#5 Williams (WIL) 25 vs. #6 WPI (WPI) 9
125 Brian Amato (WPI) WBD Daniel Seidita (WIL) D 11-4
133 Daniel Evangelakos (WIL) WBD Brian Jennings (WPI) D 5-2
141 Tyler Tilbe (WPI) WBD Carson Brooks (WIL) D 4-0
149 Mike Perruccio (WPI) WBD Tim Garripoli (WIL) D 5-2
157 Jorge Lopez (WIL) WBD Zachary Rahl (WPI) M 10-2
165 Kyle Gaffney (WIL) WBD Austin Brais (WPI) D 4-3
174 Martin Strenk (WIL) WBD Justin Marsh (WPI) D 3-2
184 Christopher Chorzepa (WIL) WBD Joe Pizzuto (WPI) D 11-10
197 Anthony Brooks (WIL) WBD Alex Freilich (WPI) D 3-1
285 Ben Wertz (WIL) WBF Peter Salem (WPI) F 4:54
