WILLIAMSTOWN, MA- In the first poll of the new year the Eph
grapplers were, for the 6th poll in the row, ranked 1st in New
England. The Ephs received eleven out of thirteen first place votes
and lead second ranked Johnson & Wales by thirteen points. This
past week the Ephs won their duel meet against Simpson and USM, the
Williams Invitational, and defeated the 7th ranked team in the
country, Wisconsin-Stevens Point, in the National Duals.
Williams College Senior Captain Carl Breitenstein remained the top
wrestler at 157 pounds and was named the NEWA Wrestler of the Week.
Breitenstein was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the
Williams Invitational and went 8-0 on the week with a crucial pin
in the Ephs match against Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Nationally
Breitenstein is ranked 8th.
Freshman Kaison Tanabe fell out of the rankings but was replaced
by classmate Ces Antista. Antista cruised through the field of the
Williams Invitational and brought home a 1st place trophy for the
Ephs. Antista is now ranked 4th at 133 pounds.
141 pound senior Dylan Rittenburg fell to second place in his
weight class. At the Williams Invitational Rittenburg bounced back
from an early defeat and managed a 3rd place finish.
Junior Corey Paulish had a strong week. He finished second at the
Williams Invitational, won both of his matches in the Eph’s
dual meet, and went 3-0 at the national duals. He remained remained
the third ranked wrestler at 149. Paulish, a fourth place finisher
at last year's NCAA Championships is currenlty ranked 7th in the
nation.
Jon Foster, recently back from a semester abroad moved into 7th
place of the 165 pound NEWA rankings.
Injured Senior Nate Shippee remained the second ranked wrestler at
184, Shippee won his first collegiate individual title at the
Williams Invitational and scored a crucial pin for the Ephs against
USM.
Bookends of the Eph’s roster, 125 pound Josh Mattana and 285
pound Tom Foote remained ranked. Mattana fell one spot to 6th and
Foote remained ranked 4th in his weight class.
Junior Ryan Malo continures to be the top ranked 197 pounder in
New England and he is also holding on to second place in the
national rankings.
The Ephs return to the mats tomorrow Wednesday, January 13th at
6:00 against AIC.
Individual
Rankings
2009-10 Coaches Poll- #6 January 11, 2010
New England Division III Poll: (First Place Votes and Record in
Parentheses)
1. Williams College (11) (6-2) 127
2. Johnson & Wales University (2) (10-6) 114
2. Wesleyan University (1-3) 104
4. Rhode Island College (6-0) 91
5. Springfield (2-0) 76
6. Roger Williams University (6-2) 68
7. Plymouth State University (4-3) 51
8. Bridgewater State College (2-4) 35
9. University of Southern Maine (4-8) 29
10. Western New England College (1-1) 8
Others receiving votes: Norwich and Trinity
