JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The first dual for the Ithaca Bombers 2022-23 wrestling season was a tall task. The Bombers traveled to New Jersey to scrap against Steven's Institute of Technology, who was ranked #7 by
the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). Fireworks flew throughout the entire dual meet with multiple NWCA ranked matches, some razor close near fall spots, and a big-time upset. Ultimately the Bombers fell to the Ducks 30-9. Here's how the dual went down:

125: Cosmo Damiani got the nod at the 125 lb weight class. The first year was suspected to get one of the few unranked wrestlers from Steven's. Instead #13 at 133 Luke Hoerle made the cut to meet Damiani at the lightest weight class. The score 23-12 seems frightening, but Damiani showed some great technique. He had a slick reshot to prevent a tech fall in the final seconds of the match. His "Don't count me out" attitude certainly carried over to the dual season.
 
133: Isaias Torres wrestled tough at 133. It was a solid dual meet debut for the first year. Sometimes you just don't score as many points as you need. Lost a close decision that could easily go his way if he wrestles the same match tomorrow.
 
141: Luis Hernandez was coming off an injury from the Ithaca Invitational. He started off strong scoring two takedowns on #3 in the country Kyle Slendhorn. It looked that Hernandez was in control until he was worn down on bottom. Slendhorn rallied, but Hernandez showed he was able to consistently score points against the best in the country.
 
149: Matthew Beyer had a nearside cradle locked up as he trailed 8-4 late in the third period. That was his opportunity to score some needed points, or even collect a fall. Beyer was inches away from collecting a ranked win on the season over #14 at 157 Hunter Gutierrez. Instead he lost a close decision 8-6.
 
157: Travis Jones wrestled first year Ryan Smith, who was a multi-time New Jersey state qualifier. Just came up short in a tough match 7-4.
 
165: Jackson Gray got in deep on a shot that looked like he was guaranteed a takedown, then got hit with a cement mixer on the edge of the mat. Tough break for Gray who made practically 0 mistakes during his matches at the Ithaca Invitational.
 
174: Konrad Parker was set up to wrestle the #2 in the country Stefan Major, but Stevens never sent out a wrestler during the pre-dual lineup look. Steven's Joel Martsinovsky checked in at the table instead. Parker was unable to get his offense going on the tall lanky athlete.
 
184: UPSET ALERT FOR RYAN GALKA! The first year hit a headlock early on ranked senior #15 Frank Medina. Galka stayed calm, sunk his hips and elbow into the mat, lifted Medina's head to the sky, and got the fall. You could hear the team roar with excitement as he ran off the mat. Head Coach Marty Nichols was thrilled as he embraced his 184 pounder, as well was the Instagram Livestream.
 
197: Eze Chukwuezi has a very Eze Chukwuezi match. A 4-1 bout where he was never in any danger while earning his riding time point. He starts his final dual season with a W.
 
HWT: Nick Galka struggled to score against #14 Michael Dooley. It was a tough stylistic matchup for Galka in the first place. A big reach advantage for Dooley, a heavyweight who avoids the typical dirty boxing style, led to no offensive points for Galka. Tough 5-2 loss by decision.
 
125: Hoerle over Diamani via MD 23-12
133: Diaz over Torres via Dec 7-4
141: Slendorn over Hernandez via Dec 20-8
149: Gutierrez over Beyer via Dec 8-6
157: Smith over Jones via Dec 7-4
165: Hinojosa over Gray via Fall- 1st Period
174: Martsinovsky over Parker 13-2
184: R. Galka over Medina via Fall- 1st Period
197: Chukwuezi over Newbury via Dec 4-1
HWT: Dooley over N. Galka via Dec 5-5