Wrestling Sweeps Tri-Match

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Bridgewater State University wrestling team swept a tri-match hosted by Rhode Island College on Friday evening.

The Bears (6-9) posted a 21-19 win over Trinity College and completed the sweep with a 23-21 victory over host RIC.

In the match against Trinity, Bridgewater trailed 17-9 with three bouts remaining. Back-to-back pins by sophomore Henry Oberlander (Mansfield, Mass.) at 184 and freshman David MacNeil (Woburn, Mass.) at 197 gave the Bears a 21-16 lead (The Bantams were deducted a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct at 197). A 4-2 win by Trinity heavyweight Mason Sangillo rounded out the scoring. The Bears also received a forfeit win by freshman Caleb Lamarre (Brockton, Mass.) at 133 and a 6-1 decision from senior Eric Kerr (Lynnfield, Mass.) at 157.

Bridgewater trailed 9-0 early against the host Anchormen, but then reeled off four straight wins to take the lead for good. Junior Andrew Valdina (Dracut, Mass.) started the rally with a 10-3 decision at 141 and freshman 149-pounder Fox Maxwell (Wilmington, Mass.) tied the match up at 9-9 with a forfeit victory. An 18-0 technical fall triumph by Kerr at 157 put the Bears out in front, and senior Declan Heaslip (Dedham, Mass.) made it 17-9 with a 7-4 decision at 165. After RIC closed the gap to five (17-12), Oberlander won by forfeit at 184 to extend the BSU lead to 23-12. The Anchormen won the last two bouts, including a pin by heavyweight Ricky Brown, to account for the final tally of 23-21.

Oberlander and Kerr both finished 2-0 on the day. Oberlander is now 20-8 on the season, while Kerr is 19-8.

In upcoming action, Bridgewater State will compete at the NCAA Division III Northeast Regional Championship hosted by WPI on Saturday, February 24th and Sunday, February 25th.