Springfield, MA—Despite a day of all around tough matches, the Ephs squeezed out a victory over the usual conference-leader Springfield College—a huge achievement for the program.
Two pins by freshman standout Martin Strenk and sophomore Jorge Lopez put the Ephs in the position to clinch the win.
Of this, head coach Scott Honecker says, "The way it wrapped up made for the most exciting moment of the season."
Springfield took six of the 10 bouts, one of which was won by forfeit (Daniel Seidita 10-6). Regardless, Williams came out on top, and the excitement was tangible from the bench at the conclusion of the match.
"Martin needed a major decision or better to win the dual," said Honecker. "Martin unselfishly attempted a high risk throw and secured the pin with just seconds on the clock. Our bench was electric," the coach recalled.
After the big win at Springfield, Williams headed over to AIC. After his close loss at Springfield, the team's only senior, Carson Brooks, came from behind after an early setback for an outstanding win against his esteemed opponent at 141.
"He stuck with it," Coach Honecker reported. "And his gas tank prevailed in an awesome come-from-behind win."
With the Springfield win already behind them, Williams sailed through AIC to secure two wins on the weekend.
Daniel Sedita (125) finished this weekend with one win and one loss.
After just barely losing his Springfield match, Dan Evangelakos (133) won easily against AIC.
Carson Brooks (141) pulled out a great win to also finish out the weekend 1-1.
With a loss at Springfield, Brandon Walsh (149) came back to win his second, finishing out 1-1.
Jorge Lopez (157) finishes out the weekend with two pins, the second of which was in 4:47.
After a tough weekend, Kyle Gaffney (165) finished out the weekend 2-0.
Also with two pins, Martin Strenk (174) finished the weekend 2-0.
With one pin at an impressive 2:00, Chris Chorzepa finished out 2-0.
Facing two tough opponents, Anthony Brooks (197) finished 0-2.
Similarly, Ben Wertz lost two close matches, finishing 0-2.
Next week, the Ephs are set to take on the Futures Tournament hosted by Roger Williams, the last competition before the Northeast Regional Championships.
Williams 22, Springfield 19
125 Daniel Seidita (W) won by forfeit – 10-6
133 Victor Ekpenyong (SC) def. Daniel Evangelakos (W) – 5-4, 10-9
141 Jacob Strohman (SC) def. Carson Brooks (W) – 6-3, 12-10
149 Eric Hammrick (SC) def. Tim Garripoli (W) – 1-0, 15-10
157 Jorge Lopez (W) pinned Luke Balina (SC) – 6:00, 16-15
165 Dylan Foley (SC) def. Kyle Gaffney (W) – 11-1, 19-16
174 Martin Strenk (W) pinned Vincent Silano (SC) – 6:56, 22-19
184 Chris Chorzepa (W) def. Will Henson (SC) – 9-0, 4-0
197 Hunter Ayen (SC) def. Anthony Brooks (W) – 8-2, 3-4
287 Eugenio Garcia (SC) def. Ben Wertz (W) – 2-1, 6-4
Williams 26, AIC 15
125 – Conor Liebel (AIC) wins decision over Daniel Sedita (W), 8-3
133 – Dan Evangelakos (W) wins decision over George Lischke (AIC), 7-1
141 – Carson Brooks (W) wins decision over Simeon Everett (AIC), 6-5
149 – Tim Garripoli (W) wins decision over Brandon Walsh(AIC), 5-1
157 – Jorge Lopez (W) pinned Zak Zioboro (AIC) in 4:47
165 – Nick Giulietti (AIC) wins decision over Kyle Gaffney, 2-0
174 – Martin Strenk (W) pinned Michael Schultz (AIC) in 6:44
184 – Chris Chorzepa (W) pinned Jon Ortiz (AIC) in 2:00
197 – Sheldon Rhoden (AIC) pinned Anthony Brooks (W) in 3:12
285 – Matthew Pringle (AIC) wins decision over Ben Wertz (W), 5-2
