ITHACA, N.Y. – The Vermont State University Castleton wrestling team sits in second place following day one of the Ithaca Invitational. 21 Spartans remain in contention for the title in their respective weight classes heading into day two Saturday morning.
 
An outstanding 17 Spartans finished the day Friday with a 2-0 mark to open the season, with four more wrestlers finishing the day with a 3-0 mark.
 
NWCA No. 11 Johnson & Wales lead the team scores with 59 points after day one. The Spartans sit four points behind in second place with 55, followed by Pennsylvania College of Technology with 52. The host squad No. 22 Ithaca sits in fourth with 46 team points, with Alfred State rounding out the top five with 45 points.
 
Jashon Holmes (165), Connor Gregory (165), Dom Lapier (165), and Caleb Rojas (165) ended day one with a 3-0 mark. Returners Gavin Bradley (125), Kaya Bogle (133), Drew Marchese (133), James Rodriguez (141), Elijah Cyr (149), Nathaniel Camiscioli (157), Syrus Colon (174), Desmond McLaughlin (174), Blake Chapman (174), Sampson Wilkins (184), Josh Negron (197), Andrew Filip (197), Abbas Abdulrahman (285), and Evan Day (285) are among the 17 Spartans ending day one with a 2-0 mark. Newcomers Stone Farnsworth (133), Nicolas Balella (149), and Dylan Vanegas (157) join the group going 2-0 on the day.
 
Tylik Epps (141), Cruz Henton (174), Colby Celuck (174), Haven Tatarek (197), and Alaq Dowd-Grant (285) all finished day one with a 3-1 mark.
 
Saturday, November 2 wraps up with day two of the Ithaca Invitational, with action beginning at 9 a.m.