PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Norwich University wrestling team competed in the first day of the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships on Saturday and amassed 14 team points to place 16th place overall.
The Cadet wrestlers collectively reeled off six wins during the first day of action and a pair of wrestlers will continue wrestling on Day 2.
Junior Ben Forsman (Voorhees, N.J.) used a 15-10 decision in the first round at 149 pounds to knock off Albert Xing of Williams. With the bout deadlocked at 10-10 nearing the end of the third period, Forsman came up with some clutch last-minute maneuvers to score an escape followed by a takedown and a two-point nearfall all within the last 27 seconds to secure the win.
In his quarterfinal matchup, Forsman was ultimately overmatched against the nation's 8th ranked wrestler, Evan Fidelibus of New England College, losing by fall in the first period.
Switching over to the consolation bracket, Forsman came away with a 10-7 win by decision over Ja'Mon Van Heyningen of the hosting Rhode Island College. Trailing 5-4 heading into the final period, Forsman scored on a reversal with 43 seconds remaining to take a 6-5 lead then clinched the match with a four-point nearfall 20 seconds later. Forsman will be matched up against Springfield's Chase Parrot in the 3rd round of the consolation bracket to kick off Day 2.
Sophomore Tyler Barker (Round Rock, Texas) drew a tough opponent in his first bout at 157 pounds as he lost via an 8-4 decision to #4 New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) ranked Yo Akiyama of Williams. Barker proceeded to edge out Castleton's Cooper Fleming with a 9-6 win by decision in the consolation bracket before being ousted by #2 NEWA ranked Chase Lind of WPI.
Sophomore Daniel Curran (Peterborough, N.H.), the 6th ranked NEWA wrestler at 184 pounds, opened up his day by quickly pinning Pablo Sanchez in the first period. In the quarterfinal bout, Curran fell to #3 NEWA ranked Edwin Morales of Bridgewater State. Curran recovered in his consolation bout defeating Miguel Ruiz of NYU by a 9-3 decision. He powered through the second period on a 4-0 run thanks to an escape and a takedown to take command of the bout. Next up for Curran on Day 2 will be a matchup with Anthony Malfitano of Roger Williams.
In the heavyweight division, senior Mike Kennedy (Somers Point, N.J.) slipped up against William Ortman of NYU in his first bout before recovering to conquer Ben Falivene of Western New England with a first period pin. In the consolation bracket, Kennedy ended his day by falling to Addison Boisvert of Roger Williams.
Forsman and Curran will be hoping to advance all the way to the third-place bout in their respective consolation brackets with the goal of punching their ticket to the NCAA Division III Championships.
