Wrestling Falls to Johnson & Wales, 39-11

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Johnson & Wales University posted a 39-11 victory over host Bridgewater State University in a Pilgrim Wrestling League (PWL) dual match on Wednesday evening at Kelly Gymnasium.

The visiting Wildcats (1-0) won seven of the ten bouts including five by fall.  Johnson & Wales entered the match ranked first in this week's New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Division III Poll.

Bridgewater (0-2) jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead on the strength of a pair of major decision victories by junior Andrew Gauthier (Lowell, Mass.) and freshman Paul Sughrue (Methuen, Mass.) at 125 and 133, respectively.

Johnson & Wales responded with back-to-back pins by junior Michael Ferinde (Nutley, N.J.) at 141 and Joseph Gaccione (High Point, N.J.) at 149 as the Wildcats took a 12-8 lead.

BSU junior Matthew Armano (Methuen, Mass.) pulled the Bears to within one (12-11) with a 9-4 decision at 157.

That would be as close as the Bears would get as the Wildcats would win each of the final five bouts.

Back-to-back pins by sophomore Stephen Jarrell (East Greenwich, R.I.) at 165 and sophomore Mike LaBell (Stanhope, N.J.) at 174 increased the JWU advantage to 24-11.

Freshman 184-pounder Jared Mesiti (Brockport, N.Y.) followed with a win by injury default and sophomore Dylen Seybolt (Ridge, N.Y.) posted a win by fall at 197 to give the Wildcats a 36-11 lead.

Freshman Jonah Aurelio (Riverside, R.I.) closed out the match with a dramatic victory in the heavyweight class as he defeated BSU senior Ricky Caruso (Waltham, Mass.), 4-2 in overtime.  Caruso is ranked fourth in the most recent NEWA Individual Rankings while Aurelio is unranked.