Senior Insert
Ewing, NJ... Faced with a 17-point deficit after the first four weight classes, The College of New Jersey wrestling team saw its furious rally come up two points short as visiting Wilkes University held on for a 20-18 win over the Lions on Friday.
The match dropped seventh-ranked TCNJ to 15-2 on the season, while the Colonels improved to 19-4.
Wilkes opened the match winning four consecutive bouts, but the Lions stormed back to claim five of the final six.
The match was the final home one for the Lions this season and the program took time to honor its four grapplers in their last home match. Recognized for their commitment to the program were Tyler Branham (Newton, NJ/Kittatinny), Dan DiColo (Budd Lake, NJ/Mt. Olive), Danny Franke (Jackson, NJ/Freehold Boro), and Robert Micheliche (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South).
Following the four wins that gave the Colonels that 17-0 lead, TCNJ notched its first win of the dual meet as sophomore Kyle Packer (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) rallied for the 3-2 decision at 157 pounds. DiColo followed with another win by decision at 165 posting an 11-4 victory trimming the deficit to 17-6.
Freshman Brian Broderick (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional), competing at 174 pounds, then knocked off fifth-ranked Frank Heffernan (Slatington, PA/Northern Lehigh), 3-1, scoring a takedown in overtime for the deciding points. Junior Mike Denver (Bayville, NJ/Central Regional) kept TCNJ’s rally going as he won by 19-4 technical fall at 184 closing the gap to 17-14.
Wilkes ended TCNJ’s run of wins at 197 putting the difference at six points, but junior Ed Broderick (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) gave the Lions a win in the final bout via an 11-3 major decision.
The Lions have a break in the schedule returning to the mat next weekend competing in the New England Duals on Saturday, January 30. The event is being hosted by Williams College.
Weight by weight summary
#16 Wilkes University 20, #7 TCNJ 18
125: Scott Mantua (WU) pinned Joe Trause (TCNJ), 6:12
133: Ryan Wilson (WU) dec. Dan Herr (TCNJ), 6-1 0 - 9
141: Kristopher Krawchuk (WU) tech. fall over Robert Micheliche (TCNJ), 17-1 (6:20)
149: Anthony Dattolo (WU) dec. John Barnett (TCNJ), 7-6
157: Kyle Packer (TCNJ) dec. Nathan White (WU), 3-2
165: Dan DiColo (TCNJ) dec. James Histed (WU), 11-4
174: Brian Broderick (TCNJ) dec. Frank Heffernan (WU), 3-1 OT
184: Mike Denver (TCNJ) tech. fall over Jesse Villella (WU), 19-4
197: Zach Pizarro (WU) dec. Kenny Amponsa (TCNJ), 7-1
285: Ed Broderick (TCNJ) dec. Jake Weinrich (WU), 11-3