From NYU Athletics

Following a two-week hiatus for final exams and the holidays, the New York University wrestling team left the frigid New York City temperatures and traveled south to compete in the first day of the Citrus Invitational on Friday, December 29, at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Seventeen wrestlers are competing for NYU at the two-day event and the grapplers are currently in third place of 11 teams with 77.5 points. Upper Iowa University, a Division II school, is in first place with 115 points and Augsburg College is in second with 110.5 points.

Twelve NYU grapplers qualified for the quarterfinals in their weight classes, while six of those - Matt Noble (133 pounds), Austin Day (133 pounds), Will Crisco (141 pounds), Raymond Jazikoff (157 pounds), Jack La Corte (197 pounds), and Santino Pelusi (285 pounds) - earned a berth in tomorrow's semifinal round. 

Jazikoff, a senior captain from South Plainfield, NJ, went 3-0 on the day and now has 124 career victories passing Jason Snow '02 (123 career wins) for second all-time in program history. Michael Oldham '01 has the record with 141 career wins.

"It's all a part of the process. I love this sport so much and if there's a chance to compete I take it," said Jazikoff. "I'm not worried about breaking the record, though. I want to help my team finish strong and be on top of the podium at Nationals. If I do that, the record will take care of itself."

Noble and Day both received byes to the quarterfinal round in the 10-man, 133-pound bracket and each won their only bout of the day in that round. Crisco, who wrestled for the first time this season, joined La Corte and Pelusi as each went 2-0 on Friday.

NOTABLES:

- Eleven NYU grapplers remain alive in the consolation bracket and will finish among the top eight in their weight class. 

- Evan Drill (149 pounds), James Murdoch (165 pounds) and Jacob Lill (285 pounds) each went 3-1 on Friday. Matthew Coppola (149 pounds) and John Luke DeStefano are also alive in the consolation bracket.

- Jazikoff is now 23-2 on the season and remains undefeated against Division III competition. Noble improved to 13-1 this season, while La Corte's record now stands at 17-2.

The tournament will conclude tomorrow, beginning with the semifinal round at 9:00am back at Cardinal Gibbons High School.

"I'm excited to finish strong tomorrow with these guys," concluded Jazikoff.