Williamsport, Pa. - January 12, 2024 - The Springfield College wrestling team competed in the opening day of the Budd Whitehill Duals on Friday at Lycoming College.

The Pride, which was ranked 23rd in this week's National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division III Dual Team Rankings, earned a 28-12 win over Oswego State and a 36-13 win over Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) before falling to No. 19 Roanoke, 33-14, to earn second in its pod.

Springfield began the day by winning seven bouts in the dual against the Lakers. The Pride received a second-period fall from Isiac Paulino (Athol, Mass.) at 125 before Gianni Manginelli (Dumont, N.J.) followed with a 14-1 major decision at 133 to give Springfield a quick 10-0 lead. Oswego responded with decisions in the next two weight classes, only to have Jared Swartz (Ashland, Mass.) and Matt Duquette (Bristol, Conn.) produce decisions of their own to make it 16-6. The Lakers added a pin at 174 but Nicholas Rogers (Watertown, N.Y.) and Casey Allen (Park Ridge, N.J.) delivered decisions and Ben Katz (Medford, N.Y.) closed out the match with a pin in 1:19 at 285 to complete the 28-12 victory. 

Springfield eased by MSOE as the Pride earned wins over the first four bouts of the dual against the Raiders. Paulino and Manginelli both pinned their opponents to open the dual at 125 and 133, respectively, before Ryan Kozdra (Mahwah, N.J.) pulled away for an 18-3 technical fall at 141 and Ty Stewart (Dracut, Mass.) clipped Connor Nagela for a 10-9 decision at 149. MSOE earned wins at 157 and 165 before back-to-back pins at 174 by Max Grzymala (Goldens Bridge, N.Y.) in 2:08 and Rogers at 184 in 1:06 extended Springfield's lead to 32-7. Allen rounded out the highlights for Springfield against MSOE as he topped Jack Schmitt at 197 in a major decision by a 12-4 final at 197.

In the final dual against nationally-ranked Roanoke, Manginelli was the first scorer for the Pride as he earned a 5-2 decision at 133. The Maroons earned points over the next five bouts before Rogers pinned his opponent in an overtime session for six points at 184. Katz earned a forfeit win at 285, but it wasn't enough as Roanoke took the dual by a 33-14 score.

Springfield will compete in the 5-8 place bracket tomorrow against Cortland at 10:30 am. Springfield's second match of the day will be against either Ithaca or No. 22 Ohio Northern at 1:30 pm in the 5th place dual or 7th place dual. This will mark Springfield's 16th top-8 finish at the Budd Whitehill Duals.

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