Wrestlling Drops Pair of Matches at Season Opener

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University wrestling team hosted a season-opening tri-match against Castleton University and the University of Southern Maine on Saturday afternoon at John J. Kelly Gymnasium.

The Bears dropped a 31-6 decision to Castleton, and ended the day with a 31-10 setback to Southern Maine. In the afternoon's opening match, Southern Maine edge Castleton, 25-20.

In the 31-6 loss to the Spartans, the Bears received identical 5-0 wins from junior Eric Kerr (Lynnfield, Mass.) at the 165-pound weight class, and sophomore Tom Arseneault (Lynnfield, Mass.) at heavyweight. 

In the setback to the Huskies, senior captain Anthony Cote (Danbury, Conn.) posted a 9-5 decision at 174, while freshman Henry Oberlander (Mansfield, Mass.) followed with a 14-9 decision at 184 to record his first collegiate victory.  Sophomore Andrew Valdina (Dracut, Mass.) rounded out the scoring for the Bears with a 20-8 major decision triumph at 125.

The Bears return to action on Wednesday evening when they travel to New England College for a seven o'clock meet with the Pilgrims.