FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 20, 2008

No. 14 Rhode Island College Wrestling Takes
Second at New England Duals

Bridgewater, MA—No. 14 Rhode Island College recorded the highest finish in program history, placing second, at the annual New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Duals, hosted by Bridgewater State on Sunday, Jan. 20.

The top-seeded Anchormen received a bye in the first round and opened up the quarterfinals with a convincing, 46-3, win over ninth-seeded Plymouth State. The Anchormen won five of the 10 bouts via pin, including the first three, as freshman 125 lbs. Brian Hoyt (Sussex, NJ), freshman 133 lbs. Travis Drappi (West Orange, NJ), senior 141 lbs. Mike Bonora (Nutley, NJ), sophomore 174 lbs. Joe Manley (Wayland, MA) and sophomore 285 lbs. Ray Moore (Wrentham, MA) all won by fall.

RIC moved on to face fifth-seeded Bridgewater State and squeaked by the Bears, 19-18, in the Championship Semifinals. Manley earned a four-point decision, 11-0, at 174 lbs. and junior Nick Logan (Lowell, MA) bumped up a weight class to pick up a victory, 11-4, at 197 lbs. to secure the match win.

Second-seeded Johnson & Wales dashed the Anchormen’s title hopes in the Championship Finals, 33-7. Bonora and sophomore 157 lbs. Mike Martini (Cranston, RI) earned the only wins as the Wildcats took eight of the 10 matches.

Bonora, the top-ranked wrestler in the nation and in N.E. at 141 lbs., went 3-0 to improve his record to 28-2. His only two losses have been to Div. I opponents. He has recorded a staggering 104 takedowns to go along with eight reversals, 29 near-falls and eight pins on the season.

Martini also went 3-0, raising his record to 25-5 to go along with 47 takedowns, 13 reversals, 12 near-falls and six pins. He is currently ranked No. 10 in the nation and No. 1 in New England.

Head Coach Jay Jones’ team is currently ranked No. 14 in the nation. The Anchormen are 10-2 overall, 6-1 against NEWA opponents and 1-0 in the Pilgrim Wrestling League.

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