Norwich men’s wrestling earned a split during a pair of duals at Springfield College, Norwich Athletics reported, dropping the opening matchup 29-16 before bouncing back with a 37-13 victory over New England College.
Junior Ben Fournier opened the afternoon at 125 pounds by edging Peter Annis 4-3 to claim the initial team points. Springfield answered with a fall at 133, but junior Billy Burke responded for the Cadets at 141 by controlling Sean Callahan for a 9-3 decision that tied the team score at 6-6.
Following a Springfield fall at 149, freshman James Lally delivered a dramatic result at 157 pounds.
Lally and Daniel Greaney needed extra time before the Norwich rookie emerged with an 8-5 sudden-victory decision, cutting the Springfield advantage to 12-9.
“That was a battle from start to finish,” Lally told Norwich Athletics.
Springfield won at 165 before freshman Jordon Sonon-Hale kept Norwich close with a 6-5 decision over Nick Piatti at 174 pounds, narrowing the deficit to 18-12. Springfield secured separation with victories at 184 and 197, but junior heavyweight Rory Nolan closed the dual by defeating Wyatt Sisco with a 16-3 major decision.
Norwich shifted momentum immediately in its second dual of the afternoon against New England College. Fournier defeated Tyler Biesinger 8-5 at 125 pounds to complete a 2-0 individual day.
Junior Robby Lyons followed with the team’s first bonus-point victory, pinning Patrick Hughes at 133 pounds. New England College responded with wins at 141 and 149, but Norwich seized control through the middle and upper weights.
Lally pinned Joe Gangi at 157 pounds, and freshman Jeremiah Johnson quickly followed with a fall against Dominic Demaio at 165 pounds. Sophomore Joseph Menkello blanked Jaxon Carter 15-0 for a technical fall at 184 pounds, and freshman Ethan Patch pinned Dillon Nelson at 197.
Nolan punctuated the dual at heavyweight with an 18-3 technical fall over Brandon Lavasta, finishing his own afternoon at 2-0. Fournier, Lally, and Nolan each went undefeated across both duals.
Norwich returns to Springfield College on Saturday, Nov. 21, for the Doug Parker Invitational. Competition is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.
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