ITHACA, N.Y. – The Norwich University used strong performances by new faces on their way to an eighth-place finish at the Ithaca Invitational this past weekend hosted by Ithaca College
Norwich completed the Invitational with a total of 53.5 points, with Johnson & Wales winning the meet with 154.0 points. The Cadets finished four points ahead of Oswego State and 1.5 points behind Western New England.
Daniel Curran (Peterborough, N.H.) finished in fifth place in the 174-pound bracket winning his fifth-place match by major decision over Johnson & Wales Bailey O'Brien, scoring a team high 12.5 points over the weekend. Curran dropped his first match of the day on Friday, then won his next four matches in the consolation bracket to make his way to a bid in the fifth-place match.
In the 184-pound bracket both Blaise Bressler (Fredericksburg, Pa.) and James Spellman (Norwood, Mass.) both earned points for the Cadets with Bressler earning 10 points and Spellman earning another seven points. Bressler won four matches all by fall, with his quickest victory coming in the second round of the consolation in 16 seconds.
Gabriel Duden (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) earned 6.5 points for Norwich after he battled his way to the fifth round of the 285-pound consolation bracket after winning his opening two matches, both by fall. Mason Sprinkel (Bel Air, Md.) also earned points for the Cadets, earning 3.5 points after winning defeating Oswego State's Anthony Vasquez in the opening round. Sprinkel after suffering his first defeat to Michael Filleri of Springfield, rebounded for a 6-4 victory by decision against Bryan Bonilla of Castleton.
Joseph Lotruglio (Andover, N.J.) opened his collegiate career with an upset of fourth seeded Evan Fidelibus by decision, 10-9. Lotruglio made it through the second round winning by decision 12-6.
Kyle Merritt (Hope Valley, R.I.) also earned eight points for the Cadets in the 149-pound bracket, winning four matches over the two days falling in the sixth round of the consolation bracket by sudden victory.
The Cadets will be in action next weekend when they take part in the Roger Williams Invitational in Bristol, R.I. on Saturday, Nov. 13. They will then face off against Castleton in their first dual meet of the year in the Battle for the Green Mountain Championship on Wednesday, Nov. 17.
