From NYU Athletics

The New York University wrestling team competed at the Grapple on the Hill on Saturday, December 12, hosted by McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. NYU, ranked #25 by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), faced #24 Wilkes University and Greensboro College.

In its first dual, NYU lost a narrow decision to Wilkes, 22-18. Ther grapplers then moved on to face Greensboro College and won all but one bout in a 49-6 victory.

NYU (5-2) led 18-13 in the first match after #-7 ranked William Gockel-Figge won a 2-1 decision at 184 pounds over #4-ranked Kyle Diesel.

"William wrestled tough today," said NYU Senior Assistant Coach Corey Luce. "He beat a tough opponent, consistently moving forward and putting pressure on him."

However, Wilkes (7-2) won the final two bouts, including Alex Pullen's 6-4 sudden-victory over NYU's Santino Pelusi at heavyweight to capture the win.

"We knew going into the Wilkes match that it would most likely come down to the wire...and it did," said Luce.

NYU's Nathan Pike, ranked #3 at 133 pounds, moved up a weight class and defeated Thomas Stokes, ranked #6 at 141, by a 6-1 decision.

"We took a gamble moving Pike up to 141 and it paid off," Luce explained. "Austin Day took over at 133 and recorded a pin, while Nathan wrestled a tough match and won."

Day pinned Samuel Moss in 3:25.

The second match was no contest, as NYU recorded four pins against Greensboro (3-5), including one by Gockel-Figge in just 2:23.

John Messinger, who returned to the NYU lineup following an injury, recorded pins in both matches at 174 pounds.

"Having John back in the the lineup is huge," Luce said. "He certainly came up big for us today."

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Nick Matthews (149) and Raymond Jazikoff (157) also recorded pins vs. Greensboro.

- Pelusi won a major decision (15-4) in his second match.