EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Williams College wrestling team traveled to the campus of the College of New Jersey to face Centenary College (NJ), Hunter College, and The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in dual matches.
The Ephs ended the day 1-2 defeating Hunter College, but falling to no. 19 Centenary and TCNJ, which had been previously ranked in the top 25. The Ephs are now 6-7 on the year.
"We are battling some adversity and we had to compete with three starters out today," stated Eph head coach Scott Honecker. "The guys we did have controlled what they could and really stepped it up. TCNJ and Centenary were within reach and we just missed out on picking them off.
"The good news is in each individual match the guys all showed progress," added Honecker. "Carl Sangree got us a nice win to keep us in the meet with Centenary and Alex Pankhurst came through with a big pin against TCNJ to get the whole team fired up. Matt Morris, Chris Chorzepa, and Martin Strenk were all 3-0 on the day."
In the opening round the Ephs were paired against a Centenary team that entered the match with a record of 4-1 and is ranked 19th nationally, while the Ephs sported a record of 5-5.
Against the 19th-ranked Centenary Cyclones the Ephs got off to a flying start as junior Matt Morris at 125 won with a quick pin.
The Ephs were down 22-9 after five bouts and with wins in four of the last five bouts they narrowed the gap on Centenary. Luke Anselmi (165) and Carl Sangree (174) and Martin Strenk (197) all won by decision and Chris Chorzepa at 184 notched a win by fall and the Ephs were down one, 22-21, with the heavyweight bout to decide the match.
Centenary earned a decision in the last bout and downed the Ephs 25-21.
Williams (W) v. Centenary (C)
Final Score: Centenary 25, Williams 21
125 – Matt Morris (Williams) Fall over Bobby Demeter (Centenary) – W 6-0
133 – Dylan Luciano (Centenary) Fall over Dietrich Hartman (Williams) -- T 6-6
141 – Max Nauta (Centenary) WBF – C 12-6
149 – Chris Muce (Centenary) MD (10-2) over Yo Akiyama (Williams) – C 16-6
157 – Alec Donovan (Centenary) Fall over Gabe Corrochano (Williams) -- C 22-6
165 – Luke Anselmi (Williams) D (12-7) over Tom Miller (Centenary) -- C 22-9
174 – Carl Sangree (Williams) D (6-3) over Tom Hinz (Centenary) -- C 22-12
184 – Chris Chorzepa (Williams) TF (16-0) over Protogeropoulos (Centenary) – 22-18
197 – Martin Strenk (Williams) D (3-1) over Udott (Centenary) -- C 22-21
285 – Colabella (Centenary) D (7-1) over Nicholas Beauchamo (Williams) – C 25-21
In their second match of the day Williams lined up against host TCNJ. The TCNJ Lions were ranked 21st nationally before they lost to Centenary last week. TCNJ also withstood a late Eph charge and prevailed 28-22.
Williams trailed TCNJ 22-12 after seven bouts, but Chris Chorzepa recorded a pin and Martin Strenk added a major decision and the Ephs were down three, 25-22, with one bout to go.
At heavyweight TCNJ won by decision to make the final score 28-22 in favor of the home team.
Williams (W) v. TCNJ (T)
Final Score: TCNJ 28, Williams 22
125 – Matt Morris (Williams) WBF – W 6-0
133 – Rivera (TCNJ) Fall over Dietrich Hartman (Williams) T 6-6
141 – Gags (TCNJ) WBF T 12-6
149 – Alex Pankhurst (Williams) Fall over Erwin (TCNJ) – T 12-12
157 – Gerstacker (TCNJ) D (7-1) over Nick Anselmi (Williams) – T 15-12
165 – Herring (TCNJ) MD (15-3) over Luke Anselmi (Williams) – T 19-12
174 – Kilroy (TCNJ) Fall over Carl Sangree (Williams) – T 25-12
184 – Chris Chorzepa (Williams) Fall over Tonry (TCNJ) – T 25-18
197 – Martin Strenk (Williams) MD (11-3) over Schnider (TCNJ) – T 25-22
285 – Cocozza (TCNJ) D (7-1) over Nicholas Beauchamp (Williams) – T 28-23
The Ephs closed out their day in New Jersey with a match versus Hunter College. After a tough battle the Ephs claimed a 36-16 win.
Williams opened up a 12-0 lead after pin by Matt Morris at 125 to open the match and a win by forfeit at 133 for Dietrich Hartman. Hunter battled back and after the bout at 157 the match was tied at 12.
The Ephs then secured the victory by winning four of the last five matches. Luke Anselmi (165) and Chris Chorzepa registered falls and Martin Strenk and Nicholas Beauchamp (HWY) won by forfeit to deliver a 36-16 win.
"It was nice to end the day with a win against Hunter and we are moving forward focusing on getting another shot at Wesleyan next Saturday," Honecker said. "Since Wesleyan beat us by two last week we have been on a countdown to when we meet them again. With important matchups with Regional opponents Ithaca and SUNY Oneonta in addition to Wesleyan, next Saturday is one of the biggest weekends of the regular season."
Hunter (H) v. Williams (W)
Final Score: Williams 36, Hunter 16
125 – Matt Morris (Williams) Fall over Amir (Hunter) – W 6-0
133 – Dietrich Hartman (Williams) WBF W 12-0
141 – Natanov (Hunter) WBF – W 12-6
149 – Sherlock (Hunter) D (8-3) over Yo Akiyama (Williams) – W 12-9
157 – Heine (Hunter) D (5-2) over Gabe Corrochano (Williams) -- T 12-12
165 – Luke Anselmi (Williams) Fall over Calderon (Hunter) – W 18-12
174 – Brutus (Hunter) MD (9-0) over Carl Sangree (Williams) – W 18-16
184 – Chris Chorzepa (Williams) Fall over Garkusha (Hunter) -- 24-16
197 – Martin Strenk (Williams) WBF – W 30-16
HWT – Nicholas Beauchamp (Williams) WBF – W 36-16
The Ephs will next be in action on Saturday, Feb. 4th when they travel to Oneonta, N.Y. to take on SUNY Oneonta, Wesleyan, and #4 Ithaca College.
