PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Vermont State University Castleton wrestling team finished second at the NEWA Dual Championships on Sunday, marking the first-ever finals appearance, and setting a new program-best finish.
The Spartans started the day in a matchup against Plymouth State, winning 44-10 before winning all 10 weight classes against Western New England, and claiming a 48-0 victory. In match three of the day, the Spartans matched up against No. 15 Coast Guard and came away with a 24-11 win, the squad's first-ever win over the Bears, and securing themselves a spot in the finals. In the first-place match, the Spartans faced a tough Johnson & Wales squad, and ultimately fell 24-12, going 3-1 on the day.
No. 6 VTSU Castleton 44, Plymouth 10
Ryan VanGuilder started the Spartans off at 125 pounds, taking down his opponent by tech fall, with Drew Marchese pinning his opponent in 1:38 at 133 pounds, and Tylik Epps won by tech fall at 141 pounds to put the Spartans up 16-0. Mason Lishness pinned his opponent in 4:29 at 149 pounds, with Nathaniel Camiscioli winning via tech fall at 157 pounds to extend the Spartans lead to 27-0.
The 165 pound match was dropped, with Blake Chapman pinning his opponent in 1:11 at 174 pounds to put the Spartans up 33-6 heading into the final three matches. After dropping the 184 pound match, Josh Negron pinned his opponent in 1:33 at 197 pounds, and Abbas Abdulrahman earned a win via tech fall at 285 pounds to take the match 44-10.
No. 6 VTSU Castleton 48, Western New England 0
The Spartans won all 10 matches in bout two of the day, with Gavin Bradley starting at 125 pounds, and pinning his opponent in 40 seconds. Kaya Bogle pinned Trevor Young in 1:43 at 133 pounds to put the Spartans up 12-0. James Rodriguez won via tech fall at 141 pounds, and Elijah Cyr won by major decision at 149 pounds. Camiscioli took his match over Colin Carlin at 157 pounds by decision.
Jashon Holmes took down Tristan Julian via tech fall at 165 pounds and Connor Gregory won via tech fall at 174 pounds to extend the lead to 34-0. Sampson Wilkins won via major decision at 184 pounds, and Haven Tatarek took down Charles Maloy via major decision at 197 pounds. Evan Day ended the match winning via forfeit to secure the 48-0 win for the Spartans.
No. 6 VTSU Castleton 24, No. 15 Coast Guard 11
Bradley earned his second win of the day, taking down Nikko Beato via major decision at 125 pounds. The 133 pound match was dropped by the Spartans, with Rodriguez picking right back up and taking down his opponent via major decision to put the Spartans up 8-5. Dropping the 149 pound match, at 157 pounds, Camiscioli earned a win in sudden victory, and Holmes won via decision at 165 pounds to lengthen the lead to 14-8.
At 174 pounds Gregory earned a win via decision, and Wilkins took down his opponent via major decision at 184 pounds, putting the Spartans up 21-8 with two matches to go. Tatarek earned a 3-2 win via tiebreaker before the Spartans dropped the 285 pound match, and pulled out a 24-11 victory.
No. 4 Johnson & Wales 24, No. 6 VTSU Castleton 12
The Spartans dropped the first two matches, at 125 pounds to the No. 1 wrestler Joziah Fry, and the No. 3 wrestler at 133 pounds Peyton Ellis, trailing 10-0 before Rodriguez took the match at 141 pounds via decision. Camiscioli earned a win via decision at 157 pounds over Vincent Faldetta after the 149 pound match was dropped.
The 165 pound match was dropped, with Gregory taking down his opponent via decision to bring the score to 16-9. Wilkins took down his opponent via decision at 184 pounds before the Spartans dropped the final two matches of the day.
The Spartans travel to Trinity for a tri-match on Saturday, February 1 beginning at 12 p.m.
