WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – The Williams wrestling team (12-4) hosted No. 9 Ithaca College, Oneonta State, and Wesleyan University on Senior Day in historic Lasell Gym in closing out the home portion of the Ephs' 2016 wrestling schedule.
Prior to the match between Williams and Wesleyan fourth year Eph head coach Scott Honecker recognized the five seniors on the Eph roster: Jonathan Berry (165), Anthony Brooks (197), Tim Garripoli (165), Jorge Lopez (157), and Daniel Sedeita (133). Honecker noted that three of the seniors, members of his first recruiting class at Williams, became four-year starters – Brooks, Garripoli and Lopez. Garripoli and Lopez have both accrued over 100 wins at Williams.
The Ephs opened the day battling Oneonta State and Williams claimed a decisive 36-19 win notching six pins. Eph winners via pin included Matt Morris (125), Ben Morton (133), Jake Savoca (149), Tim Garripoli (165), Chris Chorzepa (184) and Anthony Brooks (197).
"The first match set the tone for how we were going to wrestle today and the guys came out fighting hard," noted Honecker. "When we got them on their backs we kept them on their backs. You can't lose a dual when you have six pins."
In their second match of the day the Ephs again posted six pins. In downing Little Three and NESCAC foe Wesleyan 43-10 the Ephs showed how far they have progressed since facing Wesleyan on January 22 in the third place match at the NEWA Duals. Back on January 22 the Ephs edged Wesleyan by two points, 24-22.
Today the match was all purple as Williams opened up a 19-0 lead after four bouts with Matt Morris at 125, Ben Morton at 133 recording pins; Brendon Seyfried winning at 141 and Jake Savoca notching a major decision at 165.
Wesleyan's first points came via a major decision by Chris Siracusa, but the Ephs closed out the match in style with pins by Tim Garripoli at 165, Anthony Brooks at 197, Martin Strenk at heavyweight and Chris Chorzepa at 184 was awarded a forfeit win, delivering the 33-point win to the Ephs.
"Wesleyan was the featured match of the day and we knew and it would be a good gauge of our trajectory after we wrestled them 24-22 three weeks ago," Honecker said. "Obviously we extended our gap and that's because our guys have been training smart and training hard. It was great for our seniors in their last home match to really catch fire against our traditional rival."
In the 16th ranked Ephs' final match of the day they were paired with No. 9 Ithaca. "We got exactly what we hoped to get out of this dual," stated Honecker. "We wanted to see
Ithaca wasted no time in establishing control of the match winning the first seven bouts and building a lead of 24-0, before Eph junior Chris Chrzepa won 7-4 at 184. Chorzepa went 3-0 on the day and has extended his season long win streak to 33.
In his first 100 bouts as an Eph Chorzepa has authored a record of 93-7.
Eph head coach Scott Honecker stated after the Ithaca match: "We've got to get back to work sharpening the blade on Monday because the true defining moments are still down the road."
Honecker was referring to the NCAA Northeast Regionals Feb. 27 & 28 at Springfield College, where Eph wrestlers will have a chance to finish in the top thee in the region and qualify for the NCAA Championships.
Next Saturday the Ephs will head to Springfield College to compete in a tri-match at noon against Springfield and WPI.
RESULTS
