The NYU wrestling season came to a close last weekend at the NCAA Division III Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where junior co-captains Gregg Martino and Matt Magill competed among the nation's best.
Images
Magill had a banner day, finishing in eighth place in the 157-pound bracket and earning All-America honors, awarded to the top eight finishers in each weight class, for the first time in his career. Magill began the tournament with a victory over Bridgewater State University's Frank Cammisa, but lost 3-1 to top-seeded Jesse Harrington in his second match. In his first match in the consolation bracket, Magill pinned St. Olaf's Justin Skillings in 2:13.
But the second day of the tournament was not as successful, when Magill was bested 7-3 by fifth-seed Jason Adams of Augsburg College and then 7-2 by Ithaca's William Hovarth. Still, the final results of the tournament placed Magill eighth.
"It's pretty amazing," Magill said.
Magill named the NYU coaching staff, trainers and teammates among those whom he considered boosters.
"I'm thankful for all the people that helped me because I couldn't have done it alone," he said.
Fellow captain Martino, returning to the big stage after a trip to Iowa last season, had a rough tournament in the 141-pound bracket, losing 6-4 in his first match to third-seeded Austin Batista of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. A 10-6 loss to sixth-seeded Vince Tucket of Olivet College in Martino's second match ended his tournament.
Although Martino was disappointed, he is prepared to make another run next season.
"I didn't wrestle up to my expectations [at Nationals]," Martino said. "So I'll have to give it another year's work and give it one last go."
As Magill and Martino put the season behind them, in the months ahead they'll likely take the time to decompress with their teammates after a long campaign and get to know some of the high school recruits looking at NYU.
Magill, for his part, will enjoy his final accomplishment, at least for a few weeks.
"It's an amazing feeling," he said.
