NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University wrestling team found some success in the heavier weight classes against Springfield College, but ultimately fell to New England Wrestling Association's (NEWA) third-ranked Pride, 37-9 on Wednesday night in Andrews Gym.
The Cadets were led by freshman Niko Chitty (Coral Springs, Fla.) and sophomore Dan Curran (Peterborough, N.H.) who posted the only two wins of the dual match. Each wrestler is ranked by NEWA in his respective weight class. In the latest NEWA individual rankings, Chitty held steady at 7th at 174 lbs while Curran remained as the 5th rated wrestler at 184 lbs.
Norwich picked up its first win of the dual match when Chitty stepped up at 174 lbs against Springfield's Nicholas Almonte. The freshman built up a big lead early and then hung on down the stretch. A quick takedown in the first six seconds set up a nearfall to give him a 6-0 cushion within the first 15 seconds of the bout. In the final minute of the first period, Chitty added an escape and another takedown to establish a commanding 9-2 before surrendering two points on a reversal as time expired in the period to make it 9-4.
A lone reversal in the second period by his Springfield opponent closed the lead to 9-6.
Chitty then sandwiched an escape and a reversal around a takedown by his opponent to gain a 12-8 lead with just over a minute remaining. After giving up a reversal that made the score 12-10, he posted a late escape and held on for his 11th victory of the season.
Curran made it back-to-back wins for the Cadets as he picked up a victory after his opponent, Tyler Neglia, had to declare an injury default. At the time of the stoppage, Curran had produced a 3-0 advantage midway through the second period which he built through an escape and a takedown. The win gave Curran his 15th victory of the season.
Norwich will head to Rhode Island on Sunday for the NEWA Invitational where they will go to battle as the 15th ranked team. The dual matches get underway at 9:30 a.m.
