SOURCE: web.archive.org

February 17, 2007

Ithaca Wrestling Finishes Third at ECWC Championships

ITHACA, N.Y. - The 12th-ranked wrestling team finished third with 66.5 points at the Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference Championships, hosted by Ithaca College. The Bombers finished the regular season with a 9-3 record overall. Ithaca's Marty Nichols was named Coach of the Year for the third time in his career.

Freshman Justin Seifried (Mohawk Central/Herkimer) advanced to the NCAA Championships with a 7-0 win over third-seed Josh Bellinger of Brockport in the 133 pound weight class. The last time an Ithaca freshman won an individual title was 2002, when Marc Israel and Bryan Steele claimed victories. In addition, senior Nick Calandrino (Emerson/Emerson, N.J.) was chosen as one of the eight wild-card selections after placing third at 184 pounds.

The NCAA Division III Championships will be held by Loras College on March 2-3 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Sophomore John Paxos (Roxbury/Succasunna, N.J.) finished second in the 149 pound weight class, tallying a 12-7 win in the true second place bout. Calandrino notched a 10-0 win to finish third in the 184 pound weight division. Classmate Tyler Daffinee (Binghamton/Binghamton) finished third in the 174 pound weight class and a 2-2 record at the Championship.

Freshman David Sbriscia (Warren Hills/Stewartsville, N.J.) fell in the Championship bout of the 197 pound weight class, 1-0, taking second place honors. Classmate Willie Horwath (Liberty/Bethlehem, Pa.) also fell in the consolation round of the 141 pound weight division. Horwath finished with a 1-2 record at the championship and recorded one fall. John Dale (North Penn/Lansdale, Pa.) took third in the 165 pound weight class, finishing 2-2 for the championship.

Jon Gregory (Phillipsburg/Phillipsburg, N.J.) placed fourth in the 125 pound weight division, finishing with a 2-2 record, and sophomore Scott Edwards (Liberty/Bethlehem, Pa.) lost in the consolation round of the 157 pound weight division. Freshman heavyweight Joe Goetz (New Hyde Park Memorial/New Hyde Park) fell in the consolation round of the championship, finishing with a 0-2 mark.