MANHEIM, Pa. – The Vermont State University Castleton wrestling team moved up to 11th in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Team Dual rankings, released Friday. Drew Marchese, Jashon Holmes, Josh Negron, and Desmond McLaughlin placed in the top 15 of their weight classes nationally, while 10 wrestlers earned Region 1 recognition.

The Spartans, now 12-6 in dual meet action with ranked wins over No. 15 Coast Guard, No. 24 Stevens, and No. 8 Johnson & Wales. This weekend's NEWA conference duals were canceled, which means Thursday, January 29, will be the next time Castleton competes in dual meet action, facing New England College.

Marchese has moved to 11th at 125 pounds, sitting 24-5 on the season thus far. During the Little East Conference Tri-Match at Castleton last weekend, the season surpassed the 100 career win mark, with a pin in each match, putting him at 12-2 in dual bouts. Holmes was placed 14th at 165 pounds, also collecting his 100th career win during the LEC Tri-Match. He moves to 18-5 overall and 12-2 in dual action this season, sitting 3-0 in the pin column.

Negron was ranked 14th at 197 pounds and holds a team-best 25-5 overall record, also boasting a 12-2 record in dual bouts. McLaughlin rounds out the national rankings for the Spartans at 15th at 184 pounds. He sits 24-6 overall and 11-2 in dual meet action, with a team-fastest pin time of 17 seconds against Southern Maine in last weekend's tri-match.

In the Region 1 rankings, Marchese was tabbed first at 125 pounds. Nathaniel Camiscioli (157) and Negron (197) occupied the second spot in their respective weight classes, while Stone Farnsworth (133), Nicolas Balella (141), Holmes (165), and McLaughlin (184) were tabbed third. Joseph Kennedy (149) was the lone sixth-ranked wrestler, while Keonta Crawford (285) was slotted seventh, and Joseph Baker rounded out Castleton's ranking, placed eighth at 174 pounds.

The team heads to Providence, Rhode Island, for the Wildcat Open, hosted by Johnson & Wales tomorrow (January 24), set to start at 9:30 a.m.