CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton University wrestling team built a lead over its in-state rival, but Norwich University won the final three matches to tie the inaugural Battle for the Green Mountain Championship, and the Cadets prevailed on the third NCAA tiebreaker for the 21-20 victory over the Spartans Wednesday night in front of a capacity crowd at Glenbrook Gym.

Tyreek Staton started the match on a good note for Castleton with a 5-2 decision victory at 125 pounds. Zak Hale tacked on points late in the 141-pound match for an 18-3 technical fall victory, followed by Tyler Raetz squeaking out a 3-2 decision victory at 149 pounds to extend the Castleton lead to 11-4.

After Norwich earned its own 3-2 decision victory at 157 pounds, Jared Costa electrified the Spartan crowd with a pinfall victory just 1:19 into his 165-pound match as the Castleton lead reached double figures at 17-7. Zach Allen continued the Spartan momentum with a 5-3 decision victory at 174 pounds to give Castleton a 20-7 advantage.

Norwich started its comeback with a 14-3 major decision victory at 184 pounds, followed by a 9-5 decision win at 197 pounds. Needing a pinfall to tie the team competition, Frank Girolamo accomplished that in the heavyweight bout, ending the match in just 31 seconds and tying the overall competition at 20-20.

After the tie could not be broken on the first two tiebreakers, the match was finalized on the total points in all decisions, major decisions, and technical falls. Norwich collected 48 points in those eight matches, just ahead of Castleton's 44 points, allowing the Cadets to gain possession of the Green Mountain Championship trophy.

Castleton (3-4) will head to WPI in Worcester, Mass., for three dual matches Saturday, Nov. 19, facing Ursinus at 11 a.m., King's College at 1 p.m., and Roger Williams at 3 p.m.