PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Castleton University wrestling team overcame an early loss to win its final three dual matches of the day, including a victory over in-state rival Norwich, as the Spartans finished in ninth place at the 2017 New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Duals Championship, hosted by Johnson & Wales University at the Wildcat Center.

Zak Hale extended his winning streak to 22 matches, as he won all four contests at 141 pounds and was named to the All-Tournament Team. He picked up his third victory of the year over Southern Maine's Brendan Weir with a 10-2 major decision, and then he picked up a 15-0 technical fall victory over Jason Sulinski of Bridgewater State. Hale went on to defeat Michael Scaravilli of Rhode Island College with a 13-2 major decision, and he concluded the day with a key 20-5 technical fall win over Norwich's Jonathan Graziane.

After losing to Southern Maine in the opening round, 26-17, Castleton worked its way through the consolation bracket, starting with a convincing 35-6 victory over Bridgewater State. The Spartans won seven of 10 matches against Rhode Island College, including two pinfalls, for a 28-10 verdict, and then held on to defeat Norwich in the ninth-place match, 21-19.

Besides Hale at 141 pounds, Castleton was also undefeated at 165 pounds, starting with Jared Costa's overtime victory over Josh Smith of Southern Maine, 12-10 (SV-1), and his 7-0 decision victory over Andrew Szilagyi of Bridgewater State. Nolan Viens wrestled in the final two matches of the day, pinning Samuel Lindblom of Rhode Island College with 22 seconds left in the first period and defeating Donte Jones of Norwich with a 9-5 decision.

Tyreek Staton returned to action at 125 pounds and earned three victories, including a forfeit win in the Bridgewater State match. He started the Rhode Island College contest with a tight 1-0 decision victory over Daniel Murray, and then he got Castleton off to a strong start against Norwich with a 17-6 major decision victory over Cole Nickerson.

Two other Castleton wrestlers went 3-1 during the day, starting with Tyler Raetz at 149 pounds, as he pinned Bridgewater State's Colin Harty with 25 seconds left in the second period. Raetz then defeated Jake Dorman of Rhode Island College in a 7-3 decision, and pinned Norwich's Tyler Ayers midway through the opening period.

At 174 pounds, after a close loss to Southern Maine's Justin Stacy, Zach Allen pinned Donald Yancy of Bridgewater State just 1:27 into the contest. Allen earned a 3-1 decision victory over Vincent Drago of Rhode Island College and followed that with a 13-9 decision win over Norwich's Zach Gibson.

Castleton (9-11) hosts Western New England in the final home match of the inaugural season of wrestling Friday, Jan. 27, starting at 7 p.m. at Glenbrook Gym. The team encourages fans to arrive early, as the first group of fans will receive T-shirts, and seniors Joey Acerra and Hale will be honored before the match.