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NYU Sits Fourth After Citrus Invitational Day One

NYU Sits Fourth After Citrus Invitational Day One
Posted: Dec 29, 2015

From NYU Athletics

The New York University wrestling team completed the first of two days of competition at the Citrus Invitational on Tuesday, December 29. The tournament is taking place in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

"Despite our time off from finals and the holiday season, our guys came in today and wrestled well," said NYU Senior Assistant Coach Corey Luce.

NYU, ranked #25 in the most recent National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) poll, sent 16 of its grapplers to compete in South Florida. Of that 16, five have moved on to their respective semifinal matches, while three more will compete in the quarterfinals of their respective consolation brackets. The remaining eight wrestlers will have a chance to compete for ninth place in additional consolation action on Wednesday, as well.

"Having eight guys place in a tournament of this caliber is a testament to the hard work they put in on their own during their time off," continued Luce.

Junior captain John Messinger, sophomores Raymond Jazikoff, PJ Steinmetz and Austin Day, and freshman Manny Ramirez will represent NYU in the semifinals tomorrow. Messinger picked up a pair of decisions on Tuesday and will face Josh Ferenczy of Liberty University at 174 pounds. Steinmetz (197) earned a major decision and a decision and will match-up with Logan Hortop of Augsburg College tomorrow. Jazikoff notched a major decision and a decision, as well, and will go up against Dan Mirman of John Carroll University at 157 pounds.

Day only had to face one opponent -- a win by fall -- en route to a berth in the 133-pound semifinals against Pat Sockler of Muhlenberg College. Ramirez (165 pounds) earned a decision and win by medical default to face Eric Hensel of Augsburg in the semifinals.

CONSOLATION HIGHLIGHTS:

- Freshman Ian Burke (149 pounds) picked up two decisions in the opening rounds before falling in the quarterfinals. He then picked up a win by fall to earn a berth in the consolation quarterfinals.

- Junior Nick Matthews earned a decision in his first round and then fell in the 149-pound quarterfinals. He earned a decision in the consolation bracket and will compete in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

- Freshman Santino Pelusi won his first match by decision before suffering a loss in the quarterfinals. With a decision victory in the consolation bracket, Pelusi will now compete in the heavyweight quarterfinal round.