Alfred, NY – Today, the Williams College Ephs traveled west to grapple against the Alfred State College Pioneers. Earning two wins the previous weekend, the Ephs hoped to build upon their momentum as they faced off against a fierce Alfred State team. After two hours of intense action, the Williams College wrestlers fell short in this dual 34-15. Though the Ephs suffered a tough defeat, Eph head coach
Scott Honecker and his team continue looking ahead, as they know the season is far from over.
Beginning the dual, first year David Laprade and junior Thomas Goodwin competed at 197 and 285. They both lost to skilled opposition leaving Williams in an early 10-point deficit. Next, due to a vacant weight class, the Ephs were forced to forfeit their bout at 125. At 133 and 141, first years Enzo Bell and Tylor Stubbs were bested in their matches placing Alfred State ahead 28-0.
Afterthe rocky start, the Ephs went on to win their next four bouts. Caleb Seyfried, at 141, began the streak as he defeated his opponent, Benjamin Lloyd in a victory by fall. Seyfried repeatedly overpowered Lloyd, and by scoring a clever take down and four near fall points, he built up a 7-1 advantage in the first period. In the following period, Seyfried continued his dominant display pinning his opponent and earning a much-needed win for the Ephs.
First Year Sean Tansey notched the Ephs second win of the day with a 14-8 decision. Tansey took an early 7-0 lead. Then he added to his unrelenting start with a well-executed single-leg take down to extend his lead to 10-1. Though his opponent put some points on the board later in the match, Tansey successfully defended the early advantage he accrued, securing a second Ephs win.
Up next was first year Henry Forte at 165. Forte was a bright spot for the Ephs today, as he added to the list of outstanding displays he has had during his first season at Williams. Forte impressed by allowing his opponent only two escape points as he won a 14-2 major decision victory.
At 174, senior captain William Smith wrestled George Racz. This bout had an action-packed first period. Smith took the lead with a take down, but Racz responded quickly with a reversal. These two grapplers went back and forth the entire period, and after the first three minutes, Smith led by a narrow 8-6 score line. In the following periods, Smith took charge of the match, scoring six more points and holding Racz to just one. In the end, Smith won convincingly 14-7, continuing his run of consistent performances this season.
Despite some impressive showings from the Ephs, they could not overcome the early deficit they found themselves in. After the dual concluded, there was a series of exhibition matches between Williams College and Alfred State. It is necessary to highlight first years Leonardo Maiuolo and Zach Borzio, as well as sophomore Wyatt Moyer on their strong performances and victories against the Pioneers, though these results did not contribute to the score of the dual meet.
Eph head coach Honecker provided some important words on today's result and what this team needs to do to reach their targets for the season. "The first thing these guys need to remember is we are not priming ourselves for late January. We knew there would be a dip in our periodization this week, and I thought we should be able to overcome it. That said, we have to be able to expect a better performance than what we were able to demonstrate today. These men do what they're asked virtually at all times. I have to take a hard look at myself and how we prepare these guys to be their best on a given day. Without question assistant coach Tom Foote and I missed the mark on having the guys ready to go today. Just like we expect of our athletes, we are going to go back and put our heads together on our approach and our planning because I feel we didn't show our best wrestling today. We will adjust, and I know the guys will follow along. These guys place a lot of trust in us, and we owe them a fresh look at how we are going to attack these last five weeks so we can put them in a position to achieve and exceed their goals."
Looking ahead, the Ephs will face a familiar opponent in Wesleyan University next weekend. This Williams wrestling team is rife with grit and determination, and after a disappointing result today, they are ready to bounce back against Wesleyan next Saturday.
Results vs. Alfred State:
Dual meet scores
Williams forfeited their match at 125.
Enzo Bell (133) loss by 1:46 fall to Zack Levey
Tylor Stubbs (141) loss by 2:49 fall to Dominick Vinci
Caleb Seyfried (149) win by 3:56 fall over Benjamin Lloyd
Sean Tansey (157) win by 14-8 decision over Ethan Morrison
Henry Forte (165) win by 14-2 Major decision over Justin Smith
William Smith (174) win by 14-7 decision over George Racz
Dante Gutbrod (184) loss by 1:16 fall to Sean Malenfant
David LaPrade (197) loss by 1:27 fall to Blake Ilges
Thomas Goodwin (285) loss by 13-4 major decision to Nick Barrett
Additional Match Scores
Leonardo Maiuolo (149) win by 19-2 tech fall over Richard Morales
Cullen Davis (174) loss by 0:29 fall to Chris Bargy
Zach Borzio (184) win by 5:49 fall over Brent Perry
Wyatt Moyer (197) win by 2:58 fall over Keaton Renfrew
Elias Chen (197) loss by 20-2 tech fall to Blake Ilges
Tim Brown (285) loss by 0:58 fall to Jacob Steele
