PROVIDENCE, RI – A fast start, including a pair of pins at the upper weight classes, secured the second victory in as many days for the Johnson & Wales University wrestling team. The eighth-ranked Wildcats toppled New England College, 29-14, on Saturday.
The Wildcats have now won 56 matches in a row against New England teams while improving to 22-6 on the year.
After a slow start in the opening round of 157 pounds, William Hughes dominated Stephan Saint-Juste on his way to a 26-8 tech fall. At 165 pounds, Christian Murphy got a reversal just before the third period ended then took down Jakal Townsend for the 12-10 victory.
Tim Higginson got out to a fast start on his way to a 10-2 decision at 174 pounds over Mannash Carlson. NEC recorded its first points with a major decision at 184 pounds, but Tommy Wrzesien extended JWU's lead with a pin in just 2:08 of his 197-pound bout. At 285 pounds, Michael DiNardo made it back-to-back pins when he took down Omar Eldaly in 2:30.
Securing the team victory was eighth-ranked Hayden Brown as he beat Chris DeRosa, 4-0, at 133 pounds. Also coming through with a decision was 141-pounder Freddy Eckles as he topped Najaee Hall.
The Wildcats are back at home Friday when they host rival Roger Williams at 7 p.m.
#8 Johnson & Wales 29, New England College 14 JWU-NEC
157 William Hughes (JWU) def. Stephan Saint-Juste (NEC) Tech Fall 26-8 5-0
165 Christian Murphy (JWU) def. Jakal Townsend (NEC) Decision 12-10 (SV-1) 8-0
174 Tim Higginson (JWU) def. Mannash Carlson (NEC) Decision 9-2 11-0
184 Malik Settles (NEC) def. Nick Munsch (JWU) Major Decision 11-3 11-4
197 Tommy Wrzesien (JWU) def. Aaron Diaz (NEC) Fall 2:08 17-4
285 Michael DiNardo (JWU) def. Omar Eldaly (NEC) Fall 230 23-4
125 Diego Santiago (NEC) def. Adam Quintanilla (JWU) Major Decision 16-8 23-8
133 #8 Hayden Brown (JWU) def. Chris DeRosa (NEC) Decision 4-0 26-8
141 Freddy Eckles (JWU) def. Najaee Hal (NEC) Decision 9-2 29-8
149 #10 Evan Fidelibus (NEC) def. Marvin Cunningham (JWU) Fall 1:15 29-14