BRIDGEWATER, MA -- Scott Honecker's Williams COllege wrestling team entered the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Duals at Bridgewater State seeded third and the Ephs ended up finishing third, marking their highest finish at NEWA Duals in six years.
Williams lined up against Little Three foe Wesleyan for the match that would deterine third and fourth place. With two falls in the match and a forfeit win at 184 the Ephs downed the Cardinals 24-22 to claim third palce.
"It's a statement about where our program is right now, that our best finish at this event in six years feels like a setback," said Honecker. "This is a really good team, and the guys feel like they left something on the table. This is good. There were a lot of situations and moments we can learn from and improve. We competed hard and wrestled to our seed. The story will really be told over the coming weeks if we can use today's finish as a starting point as we move to the most important stretch of the season.
Honcecker then commented on some of the Eph competitors:
"Tim Garripoli wrestled fantastic today. When he is worry-free and just scrapping, he can beat anybody. He was in a tight spot against Marsh from WPI and got a takedown in the closing seconds to clinch the win. His 4-0 day got him named to the all tournament team."
"Matt Morris beat a returning all-American, solidifying my belief that he is wrestling at a level where his goals should be a podium finish. He also had a setback against JWU and I know he will want to spend some time in the film room with the coaching staff to continue his growth and development."
"It was good to have Martin Strenk back on the mat. If he can keep his focus he makes us a much better team and I hope he stays on the right track."
"Jorge Lopez wrestled the full slate of matches for the first time since December. He didn't show much rust but did take a loss. His wrestling is strong and he fell prey to a single mistake he can correct easily. We have over a month to get him wrestling the best he ever has and we can do it."
"Gabe Corrochano had a marquee win over the returning NCAA qualifier from JWU. He's really showing development and I'm interested to see if either of the guys at 141 can separate themselves in the coming weeks."
"Three more duals next week. I'm excited to have a chance to right the wrong against TCNJ. We gotta get these guys some recovery, and then get right back to work next week.?
Versus Wesleyan Eph pins came from Jake Savoca at 141 in 4:12, Tim Garripoli at 165 in 2:32 and at 184 Chris Chorzepa who was again dominant on the day was awarded a forfeit win.
Third Place Match
#3 Williams (WIL) 24 vs. #4 Wesleyan (WES) 22
125 Matt Morris (WIL) WBD Dylan Jones (WES) D 7-3
133 Frank Crippen (WES) WBD Ben Morton (WIL) D 4-2
141 James Matias (WES) WBD Gabe Corrochano (WIL) D 9-3
149 Jake Savoca (WIL) WBF Carter Armendarez (WES) F 4:12
157 Jorge Lopez (WIL) WBD Chris Siracusa (WES) D 4-1
165 Tim Garripoli (WIL) WBF Roy Forys (WES) F 2:32
174 Taran Carr (WES) WBF Martin Strenk (WIL) F 2:45
184 Chris Chorzepa (WIL) WBF FORFEIT F FOR
197 Isaiah Bellamy (WES) WBD Anthony Brooks (WIL) M 12-2
285 Devon Carrillo (WES) WBF FORFEIT F FOR
In round three the third seeded Ephs were matched up against second seeded Johnson & Wales. The Ephs were defeated by JWU 24-15. The Ephs lost four of the first five matches, but tried to muster a comeback in the final five matches recording three three wins including a pin by Chris Chorzepa.
THIRD ROUND
#2 Johnson & Wales (JWU) 24 vs. #3 Williams (WIL) 15
125 Jay Albis (JWU) WBD Matt Morris (WIL) M 8-0
133 Joe Ferinde (JWU) WBD Ben Morton (WIL) D 8-3
141 Gabe Corrochano (WIL) WBD Justin Colon (JWU) D 6-4
149 Thomas Grippi (JWU) WBD Jake Savoca (WIL) M 15-5
157 Joey Gaccione (JWU) WBF Jorge Lopez (WIL) F 5:35
165 Tim Garripoli (WIL) WBD James Ryan (JWU) D 5-3
174 Stephen Jarrell (JWU) WBD Martin Strenk (WIL) D 8-1
184 Chris Chorzepa (WIL) WBF Tyler Cassese (JWU) F 1:30
197 Anthony Brooks (WIL) WBD Andrew Cavanna (JWU) D 11-4
285 Khamri Thomas (JWU) WBD Sebastian Dziadkiewicz (WIL) M 10-2
In the second round the Ephs faced sixth seeded WPI and prevailed by a score of 33-10. The Ephs won eight of 10 bouts losing one bout and forfeiting at heavyweight.
At 133 first year Ben Morton pinned Stephen Jendritz at 2:56, while at 174 Martin Strenk recorded a fall over Lucas Muntz in 2:07.
SECOND ROUND
#3 Williams (WIL) 33 vs. #6 WPI (WPI) 10
125 Matt Morris (WIL) WBD Brian Amato (WPI) D 6-2
133 Ben Morton (WIL) WBF Stephen Jendritz (WPI) F 2:56
141 Pete Nash (WPI) WBD Brendon Seyfried (WIL) M 12-4
149 Jake Savoca (WIL) WBD Jack Nigro (WPI) D 7-3
157 Jorge Lopez (WIL) WBD Graysen DeLuca (WPI) M 14-1
165 Tim Garripoli (WIL) WBD Justin Marsh (WPI) D 3-2
174 Martin Strenk (WIL) WBF Lucas Muntz (WPI) F 2:07
184 Chris Chorzepa (WIL) WBD Daniel Wensley (WPI) TF-5 17-2; 7:00
197 Anthony Brooks (WIL) WBD Michael Curtis (WPI) D 10-6
285 Austin Shrewsbury (WPI) WBF FORFEIT F FOR
In their first round match the Ephs were paired against 14th seeded Daniel Webster College and the Ephs defeated Daniel Webster 53-6. Daniel Webster had a small lineup and only entered five wrestlers, giving the Ephs five forfeit wins in the match.
FIRST ROUND
#3 Williams (WIL) 53 vs. #14 Daniel Webster (DWC) 6
125 Matt Morris (WIL) WBD Jo-Jo Morse (DWC) TF-5 15-0; 5:41
133 Ben Morton (WIL) WBF FORFEIT F FOR
141 Gabe Corrochano (WIL) WBF FORFEIT F FOR
149 Jake Savoca (WIL) WBF Scott Mongillo (DWC) DEF
157 Jorge Lopez (WIL) WBF FORFEIT F FOR
165 Tim Garripoli (WIL) WBF FORFEIT F FOR
174 Chris Washington (WIL) WBF Travis Guthrie (DWC) F 0:51
184 Chris Chorzepa (WIL) WBF FORFEIT F FOR
197 Anthony Brooks (WIL) WBF FORFEIT F FOR
285 Devin Visconti (DWC) WBF FORFEIT F FOR
Next up for the Ephs is a trip to Rhode Island and the campus of Roger Williams Univerisyt where they will take on three teams from the METRO NY area in the METRO/NEWA Duals.
