-- Recap by Gio Ortiz '21 --

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Wesleyan University wrestling team competed in the Northeast Regional Championship this weekend hosted by Rhode Island College, as Marco Gaita highlighted the tournament by winning the 174-pound title. As a team, the Cardinals finished ninth in the field of 17 with a total of 58 points.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:

• Gaita won the championship at 174 after winning a decision (3-2) over Arthur Aeberli of Coast Guard. In the first round, Gaita pinned Raul Gierbolini of Southern Maine in 3:54. Gaita went on to defeat Chance LaPier of Castleton via major decision 9-1, and Izaake Zuckerman of NYU via decision 3-2.
• At 133, Tristan Stetson had an impressive performance as he made his way to the semi-final, placing fourth overall. In the first round, Stetson pinned Nahuel Rodriguez of Plymouth State in 5:31. In the next round, Stetson was victorious against Chris DeRosa of New England College, securing an overtime victory (SV-1 7-5). Stetson fell in the semi-final round to the eventual champion Hayden Brown of Johnson and Wales via a 5-1 decision.
• At 157, Aaron Goldman made a quarter-final appearance as he cruised to a first-round victory via pin over Cooper Fleming of Castleton, pinning him in 2:19. In the following match, Goldman defeated Yo Akiyama of Williams in a tight match, securing the victory via a 6-5 decision. Goldman fell in the semi-final in another close bout, as Darius Joyce of Johnson and Wales claimed the win via an 8-5 decision.
• After falling in the first round, Dario Molina and Duncan Kreutter each picked up a victory. At 149, Molina was victorious over Nico Patch of Trinity via a 3-1 decision. At 197, Kreutter defeated Gabriel Duden of Norwich via a technical fall (TF-1.5 3:39 (19-3)).

UP NEXT:

• By winning the title at 174, Gaita has qualified for the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships on March 13-14 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.