Day 2 at Budd Whiethill Duals: Ephs Defeat Waynesburg U. and RIT to Claim 9th in Field of 16 Teams

WILLIAMSPORT, PA -- On day two of the Budd Whitehill Duals the Ephs began with a 37-14 win over Waynesburg University.

The Ephs were aiming to finish 9th in the field of 16 teams in the prestigious tournament and they did.

"Today was awesome," said Eph head coach Scott Honecker. "We were bracketed with three other tough teams and we came out on top. This was the first day this year we have had all of our guys available. Even though the starter isn't decided at every weight, we had everybody weighed in and ready to go and let me tell you what, this team is getting better every time out."

"Brendon Seyfried and Nick Anselmi started a riptide with two falls against Waynesburg," added Honecker. "After that we were on a roll all day. Max Odell gave us a boost going 2-0 in his first dual outing as an Eph. Having seniors Chris Chorzepa and Martin Strenk anchoring the lineup at 184 and 197, it's good to know you could have some points coming your way if the younger guys through the middle keep us in the match."

A major decision victory by Matt Morris at 125 was followed by a forfeit win for Ben Morton at 133 and when Brendon Seyfried recorded a fall in 1:16 the Ephs were up 16-0.

First year Nick Anselmi won by a pin at 157 to give the Ephs a commanding 22-3 lead. Waynesburg cut that lead to 13, 22-9 with a pin at 165, before the Ephs re-established control of the match.

At 174 first year Max Odell recorded a fall at 4:55, which was followed by a pin by Chris Chorzepa (184) at 2:43, giving the Ephs a 34-9 lead with two bouts remaining.

Senior Martin Strenk won by decision to give the Ephs a 37-9 lead. Although Waynesburg won by pin at heavyweight their score was only 14 for the match due to an unsportsmanlike infraction at 174.

In the ninth place match the Ephs were paired against Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and the Ephs came out on top 24-15, overcoming two deficits. The Ephs trailed 8-7 and 15-8 before winning the last four bouts and accruing 16 points in those four encounters.

Martin Strenk at 197 put the Ephs up 21-15 with a fall in 0:40 and then Sebastian Dziadkiewicz secured the 24-15 win with a 1-0 decision at heavyweight.

"RIT was a close dual but we had great energy and wrestled well," noted Honecker. "We needed bonus up top and Marty (Strenk) came through like he has so many times. With a six-point lead we bumped Sebastian Dziadkiewicz out there to not get pinned and seal the meet. He capped the weekend by wrestling a tactically brilliant match, and not only avoiding bonus but also getting the 1-0 win. It was sweet."

With the two wins today the Ephs are now 4-2 on the year. Williams will next be in action on January 22 when they travel to Roger Williams University to compete in the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Duals.

"I'm excited to take this momentum into practice this week," stated Honecker. "These guys have a great team concept and want to do well at the NEWA duals. We outplaced Wesleyan and Springfield here so we may have helped our draw for next weekend. We just have to focus on improvement and attitude and good things will come our way."