Sussex Wrestling Continues Milestone Season, Claiming 1st and 2nd Team Wins In Program History

On December 22nd The Sussex Wrestling team traveled to Rowan College of South Jersey for a 5pm Tri Match against Union College and Rowan College of South Jersey - Gloucester.

The first dual meet of the night was Sussex vs. Union.  Union was coming off a 28-22 win over Midddlesex who beat Sussex 27-21 when they faced each other on Dec. 10th. 

Expecting a tight match and knowing every point would matter, Sussex got just that in a 24-21 win that came down to the bonus points gained at 157 lbs by Sussex's Nik Pagano.  Sussex was trailing Union 15-0 after 4 matches with 6 remaining.  Sussex needed to get bonus points at 157 lbs in order to win.   Nik was wrestling against Union's Oscar Serrano, a sophomore who not only was a National Qualifier last year but was also currently ranked this season 8th in the country. After a great first period of wrestling, Nik entered the 2nd period winning 4-3 before an eventual scramble in which Nik came out on top and pinned Serrano. This gave Sussex the bonus points needed to finish the match with a 24-21 score and their first dual meet win in school history.

The Second dual meet was Sussex vs. Rowan College of South Jersey.  RCSJ finished 3rd as a team last year at the NJCAA Region 19 National Qualifier.  

RCSJ showed their experience and depth as Sussex was trailing 18-23 with only two matches remaining at 197 lbs and 285 lbs.  Sussex freshman, Noah Ripley, was to wrestle sophomore, Tion Curry, at 197bs.  Sussex freshman, Shane Saulnier, had sophomore, Bobby Meister, at 285.  Ripley attacked Curry from the start of the whistle, never letting up. Ripley's pace was not able to be matched and he quickly began to pile on points. Entering the 3rd period, Ripley had an 8 point lead but continued to work,  he eventually turned and pinned Curry before the end of the last period. This completely changed the match and gave Sussex a 24-23 lead and chance to win heading into the final bout.  Saulnier was determined to bring Sussex home their 2nd win and complete the upset over RCSJ.  He wasted no time and got a takedown on Meister a minute into the first period.  He worked relentlessly on top in the first period until Miester was on his back for the fall.  Saulniers pin clinched the match for Sussex giving them a 30-23 win.  

Sussex moves to 2-2 on the season!   

Action is back after New Years on January 7th at Bergen County College