Ephs on top in NE Poll with 8 ranked in the region's top six
Carl Breitenstein
WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – Williams and Johnson
and Wales University (JWU) have been trading time at the top of the
New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) poll thus far this season
without facing each other in competition. That could change this
weekend when the Ephs and JWU compete at Roger Williams University
in the NEWA Duals on Sunday, January 18th.
The Ephs currently hold a one-point lead, 141-140, in the most
recent poll with nine first place votes to five for JWU.
Before the Ephs tangle with JWU they will face Division II AIC in
Springfield on Wednesday at 6:00 PM. "We're excited to compete
against an up and coming Div. II team like AIC," said co-head coach
Dan DiCenzo.
At the NEWA Duals the Ephs will compete at 10:00 AM, noon, 2:00 PM
and 4:00 PM and if all goes according to plan the top-ranked Ephs
and second-ranked JWU might face each other in the semifinals at
2:00 PM or the finals at 4:00 PM.
"Our team doesn't care where we are seeded for the NEWA Duals,
[seedings will be announced on Thursday] we're just excited to get
the chance to wrestle the best teams in New England," said DiCenzo.
"There are 6-8 teams that are capable of winning on Sunday. This is
the first time in the history of our program we are going in with a
legitimate shot to win."
For the third time this season the Ephs have had a school record
eight wrestlers ranked in the top six in their weight class in the
region.
Ryan Malo is ranked first at 184, while Ethan Cohen (125), Dylan
Rittenburg (149) and Carl Breitenstein (157) are all ranked second.
Senior Kyle Ayer is ranked third at (197) and Jon Foster (165) is
ranked 6th.
