The Cardinal wrestling team improved to 9-6 after a 2-1 weekend that included impressive victories over Western New England College (W.N.E.C) and Rhode Island College (R.I.C). Wes demolished W.N.E.C. 55-0 on Friday night before heading to R.I.C. for a tri-meet on Saturday, in which they defeated the hosts 31-14 but fell to Springfield 20-12. With one more dual meet remaining, the Cardinals are assured of their fourth straight season with a record of .500 or better.

In its first action after the NEWA Duals, in which the Cardinals finished third of 15 teams, Wesleyan won every bout en route to its 12th win in its last 13 matches against Western New England. Dan Bloom ’10 (125), Howard Tobochnik ’13 (141), David Bachy ’10 (157), and Greg Hurd ’10 (174) all recorded first-period pins, with Hurd doing so in just 18 seconds, and heavyweight Brian Byrne ’13 won by technical fall. Josh Berkovic ’10 took a 16-3 major decision at 165, with Zach Rolfe ’10 doing the same with a 15-3 victory at 197. Maika Nagata ’13 (133), Vin deLalla ’11 (149), and Jefferson Ajayi ’13 (184) all won by forfeit.

Wesleyan opened its Saturday action in Providence with a 20-12 defeat at the hands of Springfield. The Cardinals led 12-6 with four bouts remaining thanks to decisions by Bachy, Berkovic, Hurd, and Luke Erickson ’12, but the Pride took all four matches, including two major decisions, to take the match 20-12. Springfield holds a 54-11-1 edge in the all-time series, with the teams splitting their last four matches.
The Cardinals ended the weekend on a high note, however, taking down R.I.C. for the second time in six days. After dropping the opening bout, the Cardinals won the next four to take a commanding 22-4 lead. The Anchormen took a pair of decisions to close within 22-10, but Wesleyan won the next two to put the match away. Bachy earned a major decision with a 13-3 victory, and Berkovic and Nagata both recorded pins, with Nagata’s coming in the first period. In addition, Hurd and Rolfe each won by forfeit.

Following the weekend results, the Cardinals’ big three of Bloom, Hurd, and Berkovic are now a combined 44-13 on the season. Bloom sits at 19-5, including a combined 9-0 record in the two season-opening tournaments at Roger Williams and Springfield, while Hurd is 18-4 (also including a 9-0 record at Roger Williams and Springfield) and has won seven straight matches. Berkovic is currently the owner of a 17-4 overall record and has won 12 straight bouts overall.

Wesleyan concludes its dual-match action on Saturday as the team travels to SUNY-Oneonta to take on the hosts as well as Lycoming College and Little Three rival Williams, which is ranked first in New England. The Ephs are also ranked 17th nationally in the most recent rankings, which were released Jan. 26, while Wesleyan is 25th in the nation. The action begins at 11 a.m.