FORT WAYNE, Ind.– The sixth-ranked Johnson & Wales University wrestling team saw first-hand what it will take to win a national championship at the National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals. The Wildcats also learned they're not far off.
JWU bounced back from its first defeat of the season to topple second-ranked Ithaca College, 28-12, on Friday. The Wildcats lost 30-4 to top-ranked and defending NCAA Champion Wartburg in the semifinals. JWU's record is now 8-1.
The third-place finish marks the Wildcats' best showing at the event. It's the first time since 2007 that Johnson & Wales has advanced to the semifinals of the national duals.
Right from the start of the third-place match, it looked like the Wildcats had a chance to knock off the Bombers. Junior Bobby Jordan (Woodbridge, NJ) recorded a 6-5 decision at 125 pounds to upset No. 7 James Kaishian. Jordan found himself down, 5-4, but produced a reversal to go up 6-5 and held on for the triumph. Third-ranked Jay Albis (Fishkill, NY) followed with an 8-2 decision at 133 pounds and Joe Ferinde (Nutley, NJ) prevailed 7-5 in his 141-pound match.
Ithaca got its first points at 149 pounds, but JWU responded by winning the next three bouts. Daniel McBrinn (Ramsey, NJ) came through with a 3-2 decision against Jowan Jones at 157 pounds. Rookie Dale White (Fishkill, NY) followed with a 12-4 major decision at 165 pounds over Nik Hansen.
Putting the match almost out of reach was senior Stephen Jarrell (East Greenwich, RI). The eighth-ranked wrestler in the country at 174 pounds, he pinned Jaison White at the 4:14 mark to put JWU up 22-5. The Bombers won the next two matches, but forfeited at 285 pounds to wrap up the JWU triumph.
Even though the score was lopsided against top-ranked Wartburg, the Wildcats hung in with the Knights. Six of JWU's losses were by four points or less, including McBrinn's 5-2 loss to the number one wrestler at 157 pounds. The lone Wildcat to pick up a victory wasAlbis as he posted an 11-2 major decision against Connor Campo.
Johnson & Wales is back in action on Friday, January 13 at 7 p.m. when it plays host to crosstown rival Rhode Island College for the annual Friday Night Fights, sponsored by Moe's. There will be giveaways at the door, including free food from Moe's.
#6 Johnson & Wales 28, #2 Ithaca College 12
Weight Class Team Score
125 lbs. Bobby Jordan (JWU) 6-5 decision over #7 James Kaishian (IC) 3-0
133 lbs. #3 Jay Albis (JWU) 8-2 decision over Ferdinand Mase (IC) 6-0
141 lbs. Joe Ferinde (JWU) 7-5 decision over Bryan Israel (IC) 9-0
149 lbs. #2 Sam Schneider (IC) 22-7 tech fall over DJ Tirelli (JWU) 9-5
157 lbs. Daniel McBrinn (JWU) 3-2 decision over Jowan Jones (IC) 12-5
165 lbs. Dale White (JWU) 12-4 major decision over Nik Hansen (IC) 16-5
174 lbs. #8 Stephen Jarrell (JWU) fall at 4:14 over Jaison White (IC) 22-5
184 lbs. Jake Ashcraft (Ithaca) 6-0 decision over Mike Labell (JWU) 22-8
197 lbs. #6 Carlos Toribio (IC) 10-1 major decision over Michael DiNardo (JWU) 22-12
285 lbs. Jonah Aurelio (JWU) wins by forfeit 28-12
#1 Wartburg 30, #6 Johnson & Wales 4
Weight Class Team Score
125 lbs. #5 Arnulfo Olea (WC) 9-6 decision over Bobby Jordan (JWU) 0-3
133 lbs. #3 Jay Albis (JWU) 11-2 major decision over Connor Campo (WC) 4-3
141 lbs. Cross Cannone (WC) 4-2 SV-2 decision over Joe Ferinde (JWU) 4-6
149 lbs. Kenny Martin (WC) 11-7 decision over DJ Tirelli (JWU) 4-9
157 lbs. #1 Logan Thomsen (WC) 5-2 decision over Daniel McBrinn (JWU) 4-12
165 lbs. Andrew Steiert (WC) 7-0 decision over Desmond Towns (JWU) 4-15
174 lbs. #2 Eric DeVos (WC) 8-2 decision over #8 Stephen Jarrell (JWU) 4-18
184 lbs. #7 Bryan Levsen (WC) 4-0 decision over Mike Labell (JWU) 4-21
197 lbs. #5 Kyle Fank (WC) 2-0 decision over Khamri Thomas (JWU) 4-24
285 lbs. #3 Lance Evans (WC) fall at 1:26 over Jonah Aurelio (JWU) 4-30
