SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Johnson & Wales (RI) University wrestling team saw five student-athletes win individual championships en route to a first-place finish at the New England Wresting Association (NEWA) Futures Sunday afternoon at Western New England University.

The Wildcats closed the afternoon with 185.5 points, which was more than 40 clear of second-place Castleton and 84 ahead of third-place Springfield. Graduate student Tommy Wrzesien ran the table in the 197 lb. weight class, winning all five of his matches – including the 100th of his career – to capture first-place.

Juniors Thomas DiResta (165 lbs.) and Matthew Garcia (165 lbs.) joined sophomore Christian Murphy (174 lbs.) and freshman Adolfo Betancur (285 lbs.) as first-place finishers in their weight class. Betancur and Murphy – who each received a bye into the second round – both went 4-0 on the afternoon; Betancur recorded a pin in each match. DiResta and Murphy each won five matches, closing out the bracket with a decision in the championship. Garcia, meanwhile, won his last match via majority decision.

A pair of freshmen – Ky'ell Roper (184 bs.) and Nicholas Torres (133 lbs.) – placed second in their weight class. Sophomore Bailey O'Brien placed third at 174 lbs. while freshman Ryan O'Rourke took fourth at 125 lbs.