Providence, RI- The Roger Williams University wrestling team finished second at the 2017 New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Dual Championship on Sunday at Johnson & Wales University.
Wrestling four times on the day, the Hawks defeated #15 Bridgewater State, 40-12, in its opener. The Hawks then went on to defeat #7 Southern Maine 32-16. The Hawks faced off against #3 The Cost Guard Academy in the semi-finals and came out with the win 16-12. In the finals, the Hawks would face off against #1 Johnson and Wales but, would come up short 14-28.
For his efforts on the day,
Justin Cochran (Paramus, N.J.) was selected to the NEWA Championship all-Tournament team.
Versus Bridgewater State, the Hawks won the first three bouts by
Matt Elias (Madison, CT) at 141 pounds by fall, Brayson Hass (Schnecksville, PA) at 149 pounds by major decision 11-3 and
Carter Merecki (Cambridge, NY) at 157 pounds by fall.
In their second match up of the day, the Hawks faced off against #7 Southern Maine. The Hawks won six of the ten total bouts.
Jason Jacobi (Efoort, PA) started it off for the Hawks defeating Casey Abshire by a technical fall 20-5. Senior,
Danny Downes (Houston, TX) won his bout at 157 pounds by decision 6-4. The Hawks would then go on to win the next three bouts by fall to then defeat Southern Maine 32-16 to take them to the semi-finals.
In their Clash with #3 The Coast Guard Academy, the Hawks just slipped by defeating the Bears 16-15. Nick Barbaria (Scarsdale, N.Y.) earned a 14-4 major decision at 125 pounds.
Justin Cochran (Paramus, N.J.) also, earned a decision 10-3 at 141 pounds followed by
Tyler Gazaway (New Providence, N.J.) with a decision 7-5 at 149 pounds. The Bears would go on to win the next three bouts but, captain,
Joe Albina (Milford, NH) brought it back for the Hawks with a decision 5-2 at 184 pounds.
Kyle Foster (Somers, CT) finished it up for the Hawks with a decision 4-0 at 285 pounds for the Hawks to walk away with the win to take them to the Championship.
In the Championship round the Hawks would face off against #1 Johnson and Wales.
Justin Cochran (Paramus, NJ) saw the first win for the Hawks with a decision 5-2 at 141 pounds.
Tyler Gazaway (New Providence, N.J.) and captain,
Ty Herzog (Slatington, PA) both won their bouts by major decision to put the Hawks up 11-10. Johnson and Wales would then go on to win the next four bouts. Senior,
Kyle Foster (Somers, CT) would find success, winning the last bout of the match by decision 5-3 but, it just wasn't enough for the Hawks.
The Hawks are back on the mats for the NEWA- Metro Conference Challenge Duals on January 28th at Ewing Township, N.J.
