PROVIDENCE, RI – The Johnson & Wales University wrestling team ran out to a fast start against rival Roger Williams University and never looked back. The ninth-ranked Wildcats won their eighth match in a row over the Hawks, 27-9, on Friday.

Tommy Wrzesien got the Wildcats on the board with a decisive 7-1 decision over Travis Arata at 197 pounds. A run of three-straight major decisions started when Michael DiNardo beat Addison Voisvert, 12-1, at 285 pounds. It was his 147^th career win, giving him sole possession of second place on the JWU all-time list.

Junior Justin Lopez followed with an 18-8 triumph at 125 pounds over Ben Dubois. Riding time gave eighth-ranked Hayden Brown an 8-0 win versus Andy Lombard at 133 pounds.

At 141 pounds, riding time propelled ninth-ranked Jordan Robinson the 6-5 win over Nick Wagner. A third-period takedown and near fall points gave RWU's seventh-ranked Tyler Gazaway the 13-8 win over No. 9 Da'mani Burns.

Securing the team victory was Darius Joyce as he beat Jack Kelly, 5-1, at 157 pounds. The Hawks' Taylor Shay got two third-period takedowns to beat Christian Murphy at 165 pounds, 5-2.

The lone point in the third period of the 174-pound bout was an escape by RWU's Brett Leonard and that was the difference as he beat Tim Higginson, 5-4. Wrapping up the night was a pin in 6:40 by Nick Munsch at 184 pounds over Anthony Malfitano.

JWU wraps up the regular season with the Futures Tournament on February 22 then tries to win its fourth-straight NCAA Northeast Regional title, February 29-March 1, at Rhode Island College.

#9 Johnson & Wales 27, Roger Williams 9                                                                                                                       JWU-RWU
197       Tommy Wrzesien (JWU) def. Travis Arata (RWU) Decision 7-1                                                                             3-0
285       Michael DiNardo (JWU) def. Addison Boisvert (RWU) Major Decision 12-1                                                       7-0
125       Justin Lopez (JWU) def. Ben Dubois (RWU) Major Decision 18-8                                                                        11-0
133       #8 Hayden Brown (JWU) def. Andy Lombard (RWU) Major Decision 8-0                                                          15-0
141       #9 Jordan Robinson (JWU) def. Nick Wagner (RWU)  Decision 9-2                                                                     18-0
149       #7 Tyler Gazaway (RWU) def. #9 Da'mani Burns (JWU) 13-8                                                                                18-3
157       Darius Joyce  (JWU) def. Jack Kelly (RWU) Decision 5-1                                                           21-3
165       Taylor Shay (RWU) def. Christian Murphy (JWU) Decision 5-2                                                                             21-6
174       Brett Leonard (RWU) def. Tim Higginson (JWU) Decision 5-4                                                                              21-9
184       Nick Munsch (JWU) def. Anthony Malfitano (RWU) Fall 6:40                                                                               27-9