Wrestling: Cadets rally at NEWA Duals, place 13th

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Norwich University wrestling team traveled to Johnson & Wales University on Sunday afternoon to compete in the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Duals against 16 of the top teams in the region.

Norwich came into the meet as the number 15 seed in a field of 16 and drew a tough matchup with the #2 seeded Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Norwich was promptly dispatched by the Engineers 50-0, the second shutout the Cadets have received at the hands of WPI this season.

The Cadets got a little momentum going in their second matchup of the day, taking on the #10 seed Western New England. WNE took the first three duals of the match before Zach Morris (South Glen Falls, N.Y.) got the Cadets on the board with a 9-7 decision over Omar Velez. After Morris broke things open, Brandon DesFosses (Methuen, Mass.) made it two in a row with a 7-6 decision over Christopher Gresis. Donte Jones (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) picked up a 9-7 victory over Josh Nelson, but it wasn't enough as Western New England pulled away with a 31-15 victory over the Cadets.

Rather than get down on themselves after a 0-2 start to their day, the Cadets rallied hard and took a 23-17 victory over #11 seeded Bridgewater State in their third match of the day. Ben Forsman (Voorhees, N.J.), DesFosses, and Jones all won their matches, setting up a 17-17 tie. Senior captain Frank Girolamo (Stoughton, Mass.) picked up a victory via forfeit in the 285-pound division, and Norwich had the 23-17 victory sealed up.

13th seeded Rhode Island College was the next and final matchup for the Cadets on the day. Wins by P.J. Testino (Dingmans Ferry, Pa.), Zach Morris, Ben Forsman, Brandon DesFosses, Satchel Stauffer, and Girolamo led the Cadets to a commanding 29-17 victory over RIC, sealing the victory and wrapping up the day with a 2-2 record.

Norwich ended up placed 13th out of the 16 teams, but the momentum built up by the back-to-back victories to finish the day is sure to carry over to their next match.

The hosting Johnson & Wales Wildcats took the tournament with a 20-15 victory over Roger Williams in the championship match, and Brandon Marion of WPI was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Satchel Stauffer was selected to the All-Tournament Team as Norwich's representative.

The Cadets are back in action on the 27th when they travel to the All-Academy Championship at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.