The Wesleyan Cardinals wrestling team ended 2010 with a spirited dual match against Messiah College.  Unfortunately, Messiah, ranked 19th nationally in Division III, was able to overcome a strong 14-6 start by the Cards to win 24-14.

On Jan. 8, the Cardinals proved that they had learned from the defeat, accumulating a 2-1-1 team record in the annual North-South Duals at Ursinus College.  Wesleyan fought to a respectable 15-15 tie with 17th-ranked Cortland State, though two of the team’s losses were by a single point each.  Wisconsin-Whitewater provided the Cardinals’ only defeat, despite the superhuman efforts of Chris Alvanos ’11 and Jefferson Ayaji ’13, who each won their matches en route to 4-0 records at the Duals.  Despite having an 0-1-1 team record at that point in the day, Wesleyan refused to quit, dispatching its next two opponents, Hunter College and Stevens Tech, by scores of 43-9 and 18-15, respectively.

The squad returned to the mats on Jan. 15, having risen to number three in the New England Wrestling Association rankings. Number two Johnson & Wales was the Cardinals’ first opponent, but they provided little resistance, losing seven of 10 bouts to Wesleyan as the Cards posted a 29-9 victory.  Southern Maine, listed eighth in the NEWA rankings, didn’t come any closer to unseating the Cardinals, who notched their second impressive victory of the day, 35-9.

Wesleyan continued its hot streak the very next day, traveling to Trinity and humbling the host 36-3.  Roger Williams also took part in the three-way meet, but they were no match for the surging Cardinals either, losing 26-12.  Troy Sampson ’14, Kyle Roosa ’13, Maika Nagata ’13, and Alvanos all went 4-0 over the weekend, and Sampson was named NEWA Rookie of the Week for his accomplishments.

A week later, the Cards traveled to Bridgewater State to participate in the annual NEWA Duals.  Wesleyan was seeded second out of 14 teams, and proved that it deserved the high seed by dominating all three opponents on its way to a championship victory.  First came a 37-6 demolition of the Coast Guard, which was followed by a satisfying 28-8 victory over Little Three rival Williams.  That win set up a match against Plymouth State for the Duals title, and inspired by junior Tom Oddo’s victory over the fourth-ranked wrestler in New England, the Cardinals triumphed 24-12.  It was Wesleyan’s first championship in the 11-year history of the Duals, and the whole team contributed to the winning effort.  Alvanos, Nagata, Howard Tobochnik ’13, and Dan Conroy ‘11 all went 3-0 on the day.

The Cardinals will look to build on their number two regional ranking, and six-match win streak, when they travel to Western New England for a dual match this Friday, Jan. 28.  Saturday the 29th will be a good measuring stick for these Cardinals, as they have three dual matches scheduled.