ITHACA, NY –The Johnson & Wales University wrestling team kicked off the 2016-17 season this weekend at the Ithaca Invitational. The Wildcats had a strong showing, coming in second behind the hosts. JWU registered 161.5 points to the Bombers' 173.5.
Highlighting the trip was a victory at 174 pounds by senior Stephen Jarrell (East Greenwich, RI). He took down Jaison White of Ithaca with a pin at the 2:22 mark of the first period.
The Wildcats had a trio of wrestlers place second in their weight class. The best match of the day may have been at 125 pounds where ninth-ranked Bobby Jordan (Woodbridge,NJ) dropped a 4-3 decision to No. 7 James Kaishian of Ithaca.
Sophomore Joe Ferinde (Nutley, NJ) took his first shot at the 141-pound weight class and came in runner-up. He lost a 4-3 bout to Ithaca's eighth-ranked wrestler Nick Wahba. Freshman Malik Abdur-Rasheed (Coram, NY) defeated fellow Wildcat Thomas Grippi (Bedford Hills, NY) in the semifinals of 149 pounds before being pinned by Ithaca's Sam Schneider at the 6:34 mark.
Tenth-ranked Jay Albis (Fishkill, NY) came through the wrestle backs to place third at 133 pounds. He pinned Jacob Forsman just 2:08 into the match. Freshman Michael DiNardo (Mahopac, NY) placed third at 197 pounds in his collegiate debut. He beat Kacee Hutchinson of Greensboro College with a 13-2 major decision.
Other top five finishers included junior Desmond Towns (Morristown, NJ) who was fourth at 157 pounds after he pinned Anthony Fano from Ithaca. Rookie Adrian Gonzalez (Providence, RI) took fifth at 157 pounds.
JWU is back in action on November 12th when it travels to the Roger Williams Invitational.
