Wrestlers finish season on top

The NYU wrestling team finished their season on a high note Saturday, defeating the University of Scranton 27-13, and later SUNY Morrisville 26-14 on Senior Day at Coles Sports Center.

It was the best possible swan song for the four seniors on the team, who were celebrating their final home meets of their collegiate careers and were presented with plaques between the two bouts.

Seniors Sean Connors (165) and Michael Cunningham (197) went 2-0 on Saturday, including an overtime win against Morrisville by Cunningham. Elliot Smith (157) won an exhibition against Steve Glickman of Scranton 3-2, and later against Morrisville's Nate Cross 6-4. Senior captain Kyle Christensen was also recognized, but he was unable to compete due to an injury that will likely sideline him for their post season.

Another notable performance came from sophomore Jamie Myers, who bumped up to heavyweight for both matches and pinned both of his opponents. Freshman Gabriel Gleason (149) posted two shutout victories — one over Tom Manning of Scranton and a technical fall over Goodson Phillippe of Morrisville.

Returning to action was junior captain Gregg Martino (149), who has been sidelined with a chest injury in recent weeks. Martino only competed in the Scranton match, but he made the most of it, pinning Andrew Greco in 4:25.

"I was a little rusty, but I have a week of practice in front of me to get ready," Martino said.

Martino was the only Violet to make the NCAA Division III tournament last year, but several other grapplers will look to qualify when they compete in the Metropolitan Championships on Sunday at the College of New Jersey. Regardless of how many qualify this year, Martino expects a great effort from the team at the competition.