The wrestling team concluded its dual meet season with four matches over this weekend, garnering two big wins and suffering two defeats. The team first fell on Thurs. at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, as the host handled the Cardinals by a score of 27-11. Sunday the team took on three opponents at Western New England College, losing badly to nationally-ranked Oneonta State 37-7, but taking home a 28-15 victory over the host and a satisfying 19-18 squeaker against Williams.
The weekend’s four-meet split leaves the wrestlers with a final dual meet record of 8-11. The big match and highlight of the weekend was the victory over Williams, an opponent the team has dominated in recent years. The team’s victory over the Ephs was a strong team performance, with victories coming from six wrestlers.
“How many teams can say that they have blanked Williams five times in the last four years? It was a great day to be a Cardinal,” said Co-Captain Gabe Fierro-Fine ’04.
The team also amassed six victories against Western New England College in a losing cause, but only managed two victories in the humbling loss to the highly touted squad from Oneonta. These two team victories came from two of the departing seniors, Fierro-Fine at 141 lbs and Lonnie Klein, a heavyweight. Fierro-Fine finished with a quality weekend, coming away with four victories in four matches. His dual-match season record now stands at 15-2, with an overall record of 21-3. Fierro-Fine not only dominates opponents, but is a strong leader for his teammates as well.
“Gabe is one of those rare but fortunate finds for a wrestling program,” said David Bartlett ’06. “He is so dedicated and hard working, but even more importantly he is a major advocate of positivity. You will never hear Gabe belittle someone else; he has been a role model of good wrestling and good sportsmanship.”
Klein and fellow heavyweight Matt Moran ’04 ended their regular season careers by combining for four victories in the weekend, an impressive display of depth by the Cardinals. Adam Ferris ’04 and Co-Captain Adam Jonas ’04 also competed in their final regular season dual meet, completing the group of five seniors on the squad.
Jonas, despite a 2-2 individual record over the weekend, has put himself in good position for the post-season. His 7-6 loss Sun. came at the hands of a wrestler ranked as high as third nationally this season. Jonas has received much recognition for his impressive season, as he finished with an 18-5 overall record and currently stands at seventh in the national rankings with his impressive moves.
“Adam [Jonas] is physically impressive. He can really dominate people with his patented Wet Blanket,” Bartlett said.
Bartlett suffered a tough 4-2 loss in overtime on Thurs. night, and could not wrestle on Sunday due to injuries. This is surprising, considering Bartlett only missed one competition all season. Bartlett and the rest of the squad hope to use the next few weeks to heal and prepare for the post-season, which is the overwhelming portion of the season.
The post-season approaches, and the team certainly has reason for the high expectations. Fierro-Fine and Jonas have been dominant in leading the team, and others look ready to step up with big performances. Dan Case ’05 continues to gain momentum with two wins Sunday. Despite losing against his opponent from Oneonta, Case can feel positive about his 3-2 loss to a defending league champion.
“Even though today marks the end of the regular season, the New England Championships will be the place to shine. In thirteen days, the entire season will be forgotten and one hundred fifty of the best wrestlers in New England will be fight like wild hyenas,” Bartlett said. “We only have eight weight classes represented, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if we walk out of the tournament with three or four titles out of the ten weight classes.”
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