EWING, N.J. – The Ithaca College wrestling squad traveled to the notoriously tough wrestling state of New Jersey for their third consecutive ranked dual meet. The College of New Jersey came into this weekend ranked as the No. 8 dual team in the country with seven individually ranked wrestlers. The Ithaca Bombers came in ranked No. 15 after their upset of previously No. 13 Ohio Northern. For this recap, the D3Wrestle Individual rankings will be used as they are the most recently updated.
157: #23 Wenchard Pierre-Louis (IC) dec. #18 Matt Sacco, 8-5 (0-3)
This dual starts off with a ranked matchup in the middle of the lineup. Pierre-Louis looked to carry his dual meet momentum and did just that. This match was huge for the team score as TCNJ was expecting to start off the dual with a decision.
165: #16 Nick Sacco (TCNJ) dec. Jackson Gray, 5-4 (3-3)
Gray has been unranked for the better half of this season, but anybody who watches Ithaca wrestling knows that this was no gimme match for #16 ranked Sacco. The battle of up-and-coming sophomores didn't fall in IC's favor, and Sacco was able to squeak out a razor close win.
174: #12 Reid Colella (TCNJ) dec. Konrad Parker, 4-2 (6-3)
TCNJ is known for being very strong in their upper weights, having a few national champions up here in recent years. Parker had a match that may have not been a win but helped his team tremendously only losing by a regular decision to #12 Colella. Parker has been only getting better with all the top ranked competition he's been wrestling. He's wrestling much better than his record shows.
184: #14 Quinn Haddad (TCNJ) maj. Ryan Galka, 15-4 (10-3)
Galka is in the same boat as Parker. Haddad has been inside of the top 10 for most of the year but settles in currently at #14 after a few tough ranked losses. Galka was able to stop the bleeding and hold on in a major decision loss.
197: #6 Eze Chukwuezi (IC) Tech. Fall Joe Daddario, 19-2 (3:54) (10-8)
This was the one upper weight match where Ithaca was the favorite- and wow did Eze deliver. He was able to do what TCNJ's top ranked wrestlers couldn't do. This tech fall was needed for the Bombers as they come within striking range 10-8.
285: Peter Wersinger (TCNJ) dec. Jeremy Mazzella, 6-4 (13-8)
Mazzella has been wrestling extremely well after making the jump from 197 to heavyweight. Wersinger, who competed as a non-heavyweight in high school as a multi-time state medalist, was wrestling with similar style with an extra 50 pounds. The weight difference was very evident in the results of the match.
125: Ryan Rosenthal (TCNJ) maj. Matt Haycook, 15-3 (17-8)
Haycook had a tall task against #10 Rosenthal. The TCNJ standout was able to get some near fall points, but the Bomber never quit. Haycook fought his way to a major decision loss, but Ithaca was down a two match deficit entering 133.
133: #17 Isaias Torres (IC) maj. Kyle Nase, 9-1 (17-12)
Torres clutches up to secure bonus points for the Bombers. He grinds his way to secure the minimum eight-point lead for the major decision. IC needed the extra point with a few potential ranked matchups approaching.
141: #16 Luis Hernandez (IC) maj. Daniel Hong, 9-1 (17-16)
Hernandez handled business against an unranked opponent in this match. His victory gave the Bombers an opportunity to knock off a top ten team. Noteworthy point: TCNJ didn't have #9 Domenic Difrancescantonio available.
149: #11 Matthew Beyer (IC) dec. #20 Mike Conklin, 3-1 (17-19)
THE BOMBERS DO IT AGAIN! Beyer beats a tough ranked #20 Conklin by a tight two-point margin to secure the victory for the Ithaca. Beyer had something to prove as he has been moved all around the rankings this season. Conklin was in a similar position, being ranked as high as #5 in the country. This match can be the turning point for Beyer this season as he has looked healthy and better than ever coming off of a minor injury. The leader is the final match to secure an upset against a much higher ranked team for the second consecutive dual meet.
The upcoming quad meet in Middletown Connecticut is against Oneonta, Wesleyan University, and a rematch against Williams College (whom the Bombers previously won 35-10). The unranked matchups should serve as a nice change of pace for the Bombers as they have wrestled three consecutive dual meets against top 15 teams along with D1 competition in the New York State Championships.