WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - The Williams College wrestling team posted a 19-18 win over Vermont State University-Castleton on Friday night in Lasell Gymnasium, celebrating the team's four seniors in style in the final home match of the season.
Junior Zach Borzio clinched the match for the Ephs at the 197 weight class, the second-to-last match of the night. He earned a 2-1 decision for three points, giving Williams a seven-point lead and putting the match out of reach for Castleton.
Williams celebrated the contributions of Lucas Johnson, Peter Kane, Donnie Morton, and Caleb Seyfried, the team's four seniors and captains of the squad. They were honored before the match, which ended up being the first win for the Ephs over the Spartans in eight years, as #13 Castleton had beaten Williams in the last six meetings between the teams.
Castleton had jumped out to a lead early in the match, winning at 125, 141, and 149, with Jake Strianese earning an important three points at 133 with a 4-1 sudden victory. After four matches, the Ephs were trailing 12-3.
Williams then ran off five straight wins, starting with Kane, who earned a tight 7-6 decision at 157. Henry Forte also earned a decision, winning 10-6 at 165, followed by Gage Wiggins winning 7-1 at 174. Jamie Evarts then earned a major decision 15-3, at 184.
That set the stage for Borzio's match, and with the score 16-12 in favor of the Ephs, the junior needed three points to give Williams a lead that Castleton could not catch. The match came down to the wire as an electric Lasell Gymnasium came alive with fans for both schools cheering on the competitors. The 2-1 decision in favor of Williams gave the Ephs the match, and Castleton's win by fall at heavyweight did not change the overall outcome.
The Ephs will compete this Sunday at the NEWA Futures event in New London, Conn., in the final competition ahead of NCAA Regionals, which will also take place in New London, on February 28 and March 1.
