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#13 NYU Splits Pair of Matches at National Duals

#13 NYU Splits Pair of Matches at National Duals
Posted: Jan 05, 2017

From NYU Athletics

The New York University wrestling team, ranked 13th in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) poll, opened up competition at the NWCA Multi-Divisional National Duals on Thursday, January 5th, at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, IN. 

NYU (10-2) dropped its first match of the day 25-19 to #15 Baldwin Wallace University, before defeating Wheaton College (IL) 21-20.

"We're excited to make it to the second day of the tournament," said Assistant Coach Gene Kobilansky. "Many of the best teams in the country are here competing in this event."

Against Baldwin Wallace, the grapplers won five of 10 bouts, but were pinned three times giving the Yellow Jackets several important bonus points.

After the team fell behind 12-0, Sean Lyons recorded a pin at 141 pounds to get NYU on the scoreboard. Matthew Coppola (149 pounds) and Raymond Jazikoff (157 pounds) followed up Lyons' victory with wins of their own to put the squad in front 13-12.

John Messinger (174 pounds) and Jack La Corte (197 pounds) also earned victories for NYU and put the grapplers in position to at least tie the match with a victory at 285 pounds. However, Baldwin Wallace's Gabriel Mahaney was able to hold off Santino Pelusi and the Yellow Jackets advanced in the championship bracket.

NYU returned to the mat later in the afternoon against Wheaton and again fell behind early, this time 4-0. An Austin Day (133 pounds) pin coupled with a pair of forfeits at 141 and 149 pounds, put NYU in front 18-4. Messinger earned his second victory of the day at 174 pounds to give NYU the final three points it would need to pull out the team victory.

"I'm very proud of Austin for battling through an injury to score key points for us," added Kobilinsky. "John once again showed great leadership through his wrestling."

NOTES:

- With his two victories at 174 pounds, John Messinger remained undefeated this season against Division III competition (19-0). The senior captain is 19-2 overall on the season and ranked #4 in his weight class by d3wrestle.com. 

- Lyons improved to 14-4 on the season. The freshman won his bout against Baldwin Wallace by fall and now has a team-best nine victories by fall this season.

- Several other NYU grapplers competed in an open tournament also being held at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Evan Drill (149 pounds, second place), Will Crisco (141 pounds, third place), and Austin Oliver (174 pounds, seventh place) all placed.

 "It's great for the future of this program that three of our underclassmen placed in such a tough event," concluded Kobilansky. "It also shows a lot about our depth as a team."