Ephs Go 3-1 at NEWA Championships

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Williams College wrestling team took part in the New England Wrestling Association Dual Meet Championships at Johnson & Wales University today.  Action began at 9:00 am and ran throughout the day with four matches against different competitors. 

This years' tournament featured sixteen teams from the New England area.  Competition involved single elimination from the championship bracket.  However, consolation brackets allow teams to continue wrestling to determine final rankings.  Along with the Ephs, previously encountered Springfield College, Castleton University, and Trinity College were also present.

Williams College Wrestling earned 9^th place at the prestigious tournament with a record of 3-1 on the day.  After losing a close match against the eventual 6^th place team, University of Southern Maine, the Ephs rallied with three convincing victories against New England College, Trinity College, and Western New England College respectively.

Head Coach Scott Honecker praised the teams' efforts: "I was so proud of the guts these guys showed today.  We got off to a slow start with a loss against Southern Maine and I was concerned we might have a hard time getting on a roll.  These guys took control of this weekend.  We gained steam all day long and finished with two resounding wins.  I was really pleased to see how we stretched out the gap against Trinity.  They nearly beat us in our gym back in December and we left no doubt today.  We rode that wave into a dominant win over Western New England.  We have to stay on this course as we are improving every week and hope to be wrestling our best in the post season."

The Ephs began their day against a difficult University of Southern Maine.  Maine took an early lead with victories in the 125 and 133 pound weight divisions to make the score 9-0. However, Junior Alex Pankhurst got the ball rolling with an 8-5 victory over his opponent.  Following suit, Junior Brendon Seyfried pinned his competitor in 6:28 to bring the score of the match to 9-9. 

Unfortunately, Williams' representatives were edged out in the remaining matches.  The final score was University of Southern Maine 33, Williams 9.

                                          Williams College vs. University of Southern Maine

            Match Summary                                                                                             WILL     SOMA

After elimination in the first round, the Ephs best outcome would be ninth place if they won the rest of their remaining matches.  In the next round Williams was pitted against New England College. 

New England College took a quick lead in the match with a victory in the 125 pound weight division.  Junior Ben Morton answered back with an 8-7 win over his opponent to bring the score to 3-3.  A New England victory at 141 gave New England College the last lead they would have for the match. 

First Years Jack Murphy and Brendan Kiernan captured back to back pins to bring the score to 15-6.  Sophomore Nick Anselmi's decisive 8-4 victory put the score at 18-6.  A New England competitor was able to earn a victory in the 174 pound division to bring the score to 18-10.  However, the Ephs closed it out with a forfeit to Senior Christopher Washington, and two straight pins by Junior Sebastian Dziadkiewicz in 0.15, and Sophomore Nicholas Beauchamp in 0.09. 

The final score of the match was Williams College 36, New England College 10.

                                             Williams College vs. New England College

            Match Summary                                                                                             NEC     WILL   

The third round of competition had Williams College facing Trinity College for the second time this season.  After their 22-20 victory at home, the Ephs were looking to maintain their previously established dominance.

Williams came out with a quick 17-0 start to the match.  Two Trinity forfeits to Matt Morris and Ben Morton, followed by First Year Joseph Rosetti's strong 17-1 victory ensured the lead. 

Trinity brought the score to 17-3 with a close win in the 149 weight division. Williams responded in turn with Junior Brendon Seyfried and Sophomore Yo Akiyama's 7-5 and 3-2 successes over their adversaries to bring the score to 23-3.

Two Trinity victories at 174 and 184 brought the score to 23-10.  However, Sebastian Dziadkiewicz and Nicholas Beauchamp's second consecutive wins put the score firmly out of Trinity's reach. 

Sebastian Dziadkiewicz's two victories today come in a long string of recent victories.  Coach Honecker commented on Sebastian's success "Sebastian Dziadkiewicz is wrestling awesome.  He has really stepped it up and for his efforts he was named to the NEWA Championships all tournament team."

The final Score of the match was Williams 33, Trinity College 10.

                                                          Williams College vs. Trinity College

            Match Summary                                                                                             WILL    TRCT

In the Ephs' final match of the day they faced Western New England College for the chance to claim 9^th place in a distinguished field of teams.

An early forfeit to Senior Matt Morris gave Williams a 6-0 lead to start the match.  WNE evened the score with two wins in the 133 and 141 weight divisions.  However, Jack Murphy's dominant 20-3 victory and Jake Savoca's 4:08 pin got the ball rolling for the Ephs.  Nick Anselmi, Luke Anselmi, and Carl Sangree all notched victories to bring the score to 26-6.  Even a WNE victory at the 197 weight was not enough to overcome William's success.

The match ended with a score of 32-9 in favor of Williams College.

                                                Williams College vs. Western New England College

            Match Summary                                                                                             WILL    WNE

The Ephs will continue their Dual Match competitions on January 27^th at Bridgewater State University with the Metro Duals.  Competition begins at 12:00 pm.

COMPLETE RESULTS