RECAP: Poe places fourth, #RollWolves wrestling sends three to podium at 39th John Summa Inviational Saturday in Ohio@SUNYNiagara @NJCAAReg3 @NJCAA @GNN_Sports_ @TBNSports @wnywrestling @wnywrstlcentral https://t.co/FWIYNRcx8S pic.twitter.com/qaZNAwEz4S
— SUNY Niagara Thunderwolves (@NCThunderwolves) February 9, 2026
SUNY Niagara wrestling continued its season and sent three to the podium at the 39th John Summa Invitational Saturday at Baldwin University in Ohio. The Thunderwolves were one of 13 NCAA and NJCAA programs that competed in the event.
The blue-and-gold sent three to the podium, and sophomore Aiden Poe had the best performance with a fourth-place finish at 174 pounds. Classmates Vinny Falsetti placed sixth at 133 and Chris Howatt finished seventh at 197.
Poe began his day with a 14-1 medical decision win over Otterbein University’s Peyton Beavers and then recorded a 16-0 technical fall against Case Western Reserve’s Louka Babic in the quarterfinal. Poe lost to CWR’s Chase Crutchley in a 7-2 decision in the championship semifinal, but bounced back with his second technical fall win of the day against Otterbein’s Eli Cassady. Poe then lost in a 9-2 decision to Easton’s Darrale Barrett in the consolation semifinals.
In his first appearance since the Nassau Open in late December, Falsetti went 3-3 on the day for a sixth-place finish, with two pins. Falsetti later finished sixth at 133 after he was pinned by Ohio Wesleyan’s Anthony Rocco.
Howatt finished 2-2 at 197, with a notable 13-10 decision victory against Washington & Jefferson’s Jayden Johnson. The seventh-place finish is the Pioneer High School’s first ever time on the podium with SUNY Niagara.
Jaron Barrientos finished 2-2 at 125 after he recorded back-to-back technical falls following the opening-round bye. Barrientos then lost in the consolation bracket to Baldiwn University’s Chase Tallarigo.
Hamza Merrick posted two pins and finished 2-2. Nick Pawlak (157) and Bobby Ranger (184) won one match each.
NOTES:
Saturday marked Poe’s 11th appearance on the podium, including five wins, in his SUNY Niagara career. Poe was the only SUNY Niagara wrestler to go unbeaten (5-0) during the NJCAA Div. III national duals on Jan. 10 and later received NJCAA Region III athlete of the week honors on Jan. 13. The sophomore is now 25-9 this season and 49-13 in his two-year career.
This was Falsetti’s first time on the podium since he won the 133-pound championship at the Defend the Lake Open at Garrett College on Nov. 8. The Niagara Falls High School alum is now 14-13 this season and 28-29 in his SUNY Niagara career.
Along with his first-ever trip to the podium, Howatt moved to 9-14 on the season at 197. Seven of the nine wins have been via pins.
After the 2-2 finish, Barrientos jumped Trevor Copes (26-2 at 141) for the team lead in wins (28-6 record). Barrientos has won a team-high five tournaments this season at 125 — Ben McMullen Open on Nov. 1, Defend the Lake Open on Nov. 8, the state collegiate championships on Nov. 22, the Jamestown CC Jayhawk Open on Jan.25 and the Whizzer Open on Feb. 1). The former two-time state qualifier at Lewiston-Porter High School is also third on the team in pins (10).
Competing at 157, Pawlak became the 10th SUNY Niagara wrestler with at least 10 wins this season after his 2-2 finish at the Whizzer Open Feb. 1. Pawlak now stands at 11-22.
Merrick recorded at least two wins for a third consecutive event, since the Jayhawk Open at Jamestown CC on Jan 25. Merrick also became the fifth different Thunderwolf with at least 10 pin. The first-ever state champion at Wilson High School one year ago, Merrick has won 11 of his last 16 matches and is 16-16 at SUNY Niagara.
SUNY Niagara continues its season at the John Carroll Open Feb. 14 in University Heights, Ohio. Aiden Poe was the lone Thunderwolf grappler to attend last year’s edition and placed third in the 184-pound bracket.