From NYU Athletics

Sophomore Cooper Pontelandolfo of New York University's wrestling team placed sixth in the 165-pound bracket at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championship in Roanoke, Virginia on Saturday, giving him back-to-back All-America finishes to begin his collegiate career.

"He had a great season and is a two-time All-American as a sophomore," associate head coach Corey Luce said of Pontelandolfo. "He will work hard in the offseason to make sure he climbs the podium next year."

After winning twice yesterday to guarantee All-America status, Pontelandolfo triumphed in his opening bout today with a 3-2 decision over Ohio Northern University's Jordan Hardrick. All three of Pontelandolfo's victories at Nationals came via decision, with two by one point, as he proved to be a clutch performer on the biggest stage.

Next up for the NYU sophomore was a showdown with third seed Noah Leisgang of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. The bout came down to the wire as Leisgang, who went on to place third in the bracket, claimed a 3-1 win in sudden victory. 

In the fifth-place match, he fell to Augsburg University's Cooper Willis as Pontelandolfo claimed sixth at Nationals for the second straight season.

"Cooper is a competitor and I know he's not happy with those last two matches," Luce added. "It wasn't the way he wanted to finish the tournament."

Pontelandolfo had a stellar campaign, amassing a team-high-tying 33 victories for his second consecutive 30-win season. He led NYU with 10 technical falls on the year and compiled three pins and three major decisions.

With two All-America finishes in his first two seasons, Pontelandolfo has the potential to become the program's first-ever four-time All-American.