PLYMOUTH, N.H. - Norwich and Plymouth State each won five individual bouts Wednesday evening, but the Cadets pulled out a 20-18 victory over the Panthers in Division III collegiate wrestling action at Foley Gymnasium.

It was a see-saw battle, with four lead changes. Norwich took a quick 6-0 lead on decisions by junior Alexander Whitney at 184 pounds and freshman Chris Rideout at 197, but PSU came back to take a 9-6 lead on a decision by senior Josh St. Ours at heavyweight and a pin by sophomore Fred Wilkinson at 125 pounds.

Norwich won the next two matches to take a 16-9 lead. Freshman Wesly Walter recorded a fall at 133 pounds and senior Brian Zane took an 11-3 major decision at 141. The Panthers battled back to take an 18-16 advantage with three straight decisions from freshman Dustin Rudy at 149, sophomore Jared Laganas at 157 and sophomore Donny Connolly at 165.

The Cadets pulled out the victory when freshman Jake Ferguson won a 14-4 major decision in the final match at 174 pounds.

NU head coach Rich Hasenfus was pleased with the performance of his young team.

"It was a great team effort," said Hasenfus. "I was very happy with how our freshman stepped up tonight. They prepared well all week, and it paid off with a win."

Norwich returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 17, when the Cadets travel to Springfield, Mass., to compete at the Springfield Invitational.

Norwich 20, Plymouth State 18                                                                  NU-PSU

184 lbs.      Alexander Whitney (NU) def. Landon Nelson (PSU), 4-2                3-0

197 lbs.      Chris Rideout (NU) def. Dan Burke (PSU), 10-9 (2OT)                   6-0

285 lbs.      Josh St. Ours (PSU) def. Jake Kirk-Elkin (NU), 5-4                         6-3

125 lbs.      Fred Wilkinson (PSU) pinned Scott MacLean (NU), 1:04                 6-9

133 lbs.      Wesly Walter (NU) pinned Shawn Moseley (PSU), 5 :27                12-9

141 lbs.      Brian Zane (NU) def. Joe McGowan (PSU), 11-3                           16-9

149 lbs.      Dustin Rudy (PSU) def. William Barry (NU), 11-4                         16-12

157 lbs.      Jared Laganas (PSU) def. Chris Barker (NU), 8-4                           16-15

165 lbs.      Donny Connolly (PSU) def. Clayton Brittingham (NU), 6-2           16-18

174 lbs.      Jake Ferguson (NU) def. Ryan Schieding (PSU), 14-4                    20-18