WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Ithaca College men's wrestling team secured two wins over nationally ranked opponents on Saturday afternoon to claim fifth place at the 2026 Budd Whitehill National Duals. The Bombers avenged an earlier-season loss by defeating No. 22 Messiah, 33-14, and capped the day with a victory over No. 16 Stevens to lock up fifth place.
 
ITHACA COLLEGE 33, NO. 22 MESSIAH UNIVERSITY 14
125 LBS: Andrew Aparo (Ithaca) over Austin Jeffrey (Messiah) Fall 0:38
133 LBS: Jay McDonnell (Ithaca) over Tyler Ratledge (Messiah) Dec 8-1
141 LBS: Isaias Torres (Ithaca) over Jacob Cunningham (Messiah) Maj 11-2
149 LBS: Will Bentrim (Ithaca) over Dalton Monger (Messiah) Fall 2:44
157 LBS: Akio Sanders (Ithaca) over Clay Gainer (Messiah) Dec 10-5
165 LBS: Keegan Demarest (Messiah) over Brian Bienus (Ithaca) TF 20-3
174 LBS: Konrad Parker (Ithaca) over Andrew Kozubal (Messiah) TF 16-1
184 LBS: Austin Brass (Messiah) over Eamon Callaghan (Ithaca) Dec 13-12
197 LBS: Tucker Seidel (Messiah) over Unknown (Unattached) Forfeit
285 LBS: Charlie Turner (Ithaca) over Micah Martinez (Messiah) Fall 1:09
 
Looking to avenge a December 20 loss, Ithaca College accomplished its goal on Sunday by defeating the Falcons and winning seven weight classes. Andrew Aparo set the tone with an electric pin in just 38 seconds against Austin Jeffrey. Jay McDonnell followed with an 8-1 decision over Tyler Ratledge, and No. 11 nationally ranked Isaias Torres added an 11-2 major decision over Jacob Cunningham to keep the momentum rolling.
 
Momentum continued for the Bombers as Will Bentrim, trailing 7-2, executed a reversal and pinned Dalton Monger in 2:44. Akio Sanders added another victory at 157 pounds with a 10-5 decision over Clay Gainer, extending Ithaca's team lead to 22-0. Although Messiah claimed three of the final five bouts, the dual ended in dramatic fashion as Charlie Turner pinned Micah Martinez in just 1:09, sealing Ithaca's 33-14 team victory.
 
ITHACA COLLEGE 24, NO. 16 STEVENS 14
125 LBS: Charles Piccione (Stevens) over Andrew Aparo (Ithaca) Fall 1:38
133 LBS: George McAteer (Ithaca) over Vincent Principe (Stevens) Fall 4:12
141 LBS: Nico Diaz (Stevens) over Isaias Torres (Ithaca) Dec 4-2
149 LBS: Cole Handlovic (Stevens) over Will Bentrim (Ithaca) Dec 4-0
157 LBS: Akio Sanders (Ithaca) over Michael O'Connor (Stevens) Dec 10-8
165 LBS: Chris Reddy (Ithaca) over Bodhi Mccormack (Stevens) Dec 7-2
174 LBS: Konrad Parker (Ithaca) over Ian Flanagan (Stevens) Maj 13-4
184 LBS: Noah MacIlroy (Stevens) over Eamon Callaghan (Ithaca) Dec 14-7
197 LBS: Ryan Galka (Ithaca) over Terrance Thomas (Stevens) TF 19-4
285 LBS: Kamdyn Dorchester (Ithaca) over Benjamin Rosa (Stevens) Dec 4-3
 
The teams traded pins in the opening two bouts, with Ithaca's George McAteer earning a fall over Vincent Principe in 4:12. Stevens answered with back-to-back decisions, but the Bombers regained momentum as Akio Sanders and Chris Reddy each secured wins in their respective weight classes.
 
Senior Konrad Parker capped off another impressive weekend by earning his 100th career victory. Parker's 13-4 major decision over Ian Flanagan put Ithaca ahead 16-12 and highlighted a milestone moment for the veteran grappler. The Bombers would then clinch the meet as they saw Ryan Galka earn a 19-4 tech fall over Terrance Thomas and Kamdyn Dorchester outlasted his opponent at heavyweight in a 4-3 decision.
 
Next up, Ithaca College will take on its first SUNYAC opponent of the season when the Bombers travel to Oswego, N.Y. to take on Oswego State in a dual slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 17.