Wrestling Places 13th at NEWA Dual Meet Tournament

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Senior 174-pounder Michael Hopkins (Swampscott, Mass.) went 4-0 to lead the Bridgewater State University wrestling team to a 13th place finish at the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Dual Meet Tournament hosted by Johnson & Wales University.

The Bears (2-7) picked up their first two dual meet victories of the season as they went 2-2 on the day. Seeded last in the 16-team tournament, Bridgewater opened the meet with Michaela 51-3 loss to nationally ranked (#4) and top-seeded Johnson & Wales followed by a 26-20 setback to #9 seed Roger Williams University. The Bears bounced back with a 21-19 victory over 13th-seeded Norwich University and closed out the day with a 36-15 win over #14 seed New England College in the 13th-place match.

Hopkins recorded three wins by decision, including an 8-7 vicotry over Johnson & Wales Gabriel Case, and added a forfeit victory against New England College.

Junior Malcolm Chrispin (Hyde Park, Mass.) was a perfect 3-0 on the day competing out of both the 141 and 149-pound weight classes. Chrispin, who did not compete in the match against Johnson & Wales, cruised to a pair of technical fall victories at 141 over his opponents from Roger Williams and Norwich, and moved up a weight class to earn a tough 4-1 decision againsnt NEC's Michael Follo.

Sophomore Christian Curley (Bridgewater, Mass.) posted a 3-1 mark at 197. After dropping his first bout against JWU, Curley pinned Eric Power of Roger Williams and follwed that up with a 15-1 major decision over Ty Saeturn of Norwich. He also picked up a forfeit win.

The Bears are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Roger Williams University for a quad meet featuring the host Hawks as well as Plymouth State University and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.