
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the third year in a row, the Johnson & Wales University wrestling team has worked its way into the semifinals of the NWCA National Duals. The Wildcats won a pair of bouts on Friday at the Kentucky Exhibition Center.
Day two begins for the Wildcats with a showdown against second-ranked Wartburg at 11 a.m.
The Wildcats won the last two bouts to defeat #6 Mount Union, 21-19. Johnson & Wales started the day by defeating #21 Millikin, 31-18.
JWU jumped out to an 11-4 lead against Mount Union thanks to a tech fall at 125 pounds from second-ranked Jay Albis and back-to-back decisions by #7 Joe Ferinde at 141 pounds and 149-pounder Da'mani Burns.
The Raiders answered by winning three of the next four matches to open an 18-14 lead. Senior Khamri Thomas bumped up to 197 pounds to win 5-0 over Tyler Stepic. Also moving up a weight class was Michael DiNardo and his 9-1 major decision at 285 pounds secured the team victory.
The first match of the day against Millikin was over in the first four bouts. After getting a forfeit at 125 pounds, Bobby Jordan pinned Ren Dazey in just 1:24 of their 133-pound bout.
Burns pinned Wilyonde Bell at the 1:58 mark of the first period. Senior Adrian Gonzalez started a run of three-straight wins with his pin at 165 pounds against Christian Chandler.
#3 Johnson & Wales 31, #21 Millikin 18
125 #2 Jay Albis (JWU) wins by forfeit 6-0
133 Bobby Jordan (JWU) over Ren Dazey (MIL) Fall 1:24 12-0
141 #4 Chris Williams (MIL) over #7 Joe Ferinde (JWU) Decision 5-0 12-3
149 #3 Da'mani Burns (JWU) over Wilyonde Bell (MIL) Fall 1:58 18-3
157 #8 Bradan Birt (MIL) over Thomas Grippi (JWU) Decision 5-2 18-6
165 Adrian Gonzalez (JWU) over Christian Chandler (MIL) Fall 3:40 24-6
174 Michael Gargano (JWU) over Austin Hedrick (MIL) Decision 4-2 27-6
184 #3 Khamri Thomas (JWU) over Tyjonn Lockett (MIL) Major Decision 13-3 31-6
197 #3 Keajion Jennings (MIL) wins by forfeit 31-12
285 Diata Drayton (MIL) wins by forfeit 31-18
#3 Johnson & Wales 21, #6 Mount Union 19
125 #2 Jay Albis (JWU) over Nolan Wochna (MUC) Tech Fall 16-0 5-0
133 #9 Jordin James (MUC) over Bobby Jordan (JWU) Major Decision 12-4 5-4
141 #7 Joe Ferinde (JWU) over David Massey (MUC) Decision 4-1 8-4
149 #3 Da'mani Burns (JWU) over Luke Hernandez (MUC) Decision 6-2 11-4
157 Antwon Pugh (MUC) over Thomas Grippi (JWU) Decision 11-6 11-7
165 Michael McIntire (MUC) over Adrian Gonzalez (JWU) Fall 2:37 11-13
174 Michael Gargano (JWU) over Conner Homan (MUC) Decision 6-4 14-13
184 #2 Jairod James (MUC) over Ryan DeVivo (JWU) Tech Fall 18-3 14-18
197 #3 Khamri Thomas (JWU) over Tyler Stepic (MUC) Decision 5-0 17-18
285 #5 Michael DiNardo (JWU) over Landon Talbert (MUC) Major Decision 9-1 21-18
Team Point 21-19