WILLIAMSTOWN, MA
– Williams (3-2-1) wrestling remained on top in the
New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) poll this week after
finishing second at the Scott Viera Tourney at Roger Williams
University over the weekend without having four members of the team
competing.
The Ephs have 133 points on the strength of eight first place
votes and Johnson & Wales University (JWU) has 122 points and
has received five first place votes. The Ephs also feature eight
ranked wrestlers in the region's 10 weight classifications, which
ties a program best established earlier this season.
Senior captain Ethan Cohen at 125 had a big weekend as he notched
his 100th career win, won the Most Outstanding Lower Weight
Wrestler Award at the Scott Viera Tourney hosted by Roger Williams
University and earned the NEWA Wrestler of the Week Award. Cohen is
just the third Eph to reach the 100-win plateau joining Jamall
Pollock (114) and Tom Prairie (106).
"To get 100 wins in a career means you are doing a lot of things
right and that wrestling is important to you year round," commented
co-head coach Dan DiCenzo. "To get that win halfway through your
senior year is really impressive."
Of the eight Ephs ranked in New England six are in the top three
and two are number one. Corey Paulish at 141 and Ryan Malo moved
ahead of Bryan Lenhardt of JWU at 184. Lenhardt is a returning
All-American who finished sixth in the nation last season and is
currently undefeated.
"Malo and Lenhardt are two of the best wrestlers in all of New
England," said DiCenzo. "Ryan has 17 wins on 14 pins and he beat
the number four-ranked (nationally) 197 wrestler in Iowa. Malo and
Lenhardt will get to prove who is best on the mat at the New
England Duals (Jan. 18) and at the NEWA Tournament in February.
Ethan Cohen (125) and Carl Breitenstein (157 are both ranked
second in New England, while captains Dylan Rittenburg (149) and
Kyle Ayer (197) are ranked third. Jon Foster is tied for fifth at
165 and Josh Mattana is sixth at 133.
This weekend the Ephs expect to have their full lineup competing.
On Saturday, January 10th the Ephs will travel to WPI where they
will take on WPI, MIT, Trinity and the University of Southern
Maine.
