Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey wrestling team improved to 17-2 this season with a convincing 26-9 victory over Wilkes University in Packer Hall on Friday night.
 
The tenth-ranked Lions were steady and strong all night, claiming seven out of 10 bouts. The 18^th-ranked Colonels (14-5) took a quick lead at 125 pounds, but that was quickly erased by a TCNJ squad strapped with depth.
 
After falling behind 3-0, the Lions rattled off six consecutive wins, including major decisions by junior Nick Herring (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South) and senior Doug Hamann (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) at 165 and 174. Sophomore Constantine Rissiotis (Monmouth Jct., NJ/South Brunswick) later registered the lone pin of the match, winning by fall at 1:47 of the bout at 197.
 
Sophomore Ryan Budzek (Point Pleasant Boro, NJ/Point Pleasant Boro) remained perfect in dual meets this season with a 4-2 decision at 141. He is now 16-0, while Herring raised his unbeaten mark in dual meets to 15-0.
 
The Lions will get a night's rest before competing in the Messiah Open tomorrow in Bethlehem, PA.
 
TCNJ 26  Wilkes 9
 
125  Michael Fleck (WU) Dec. 11-8 Luis Rivera (TCNJ); WU leads 3-0
133: James Goldschmidt (TCNJ) Dec. 7-1 Richard Gilson (WU); Match tied 3-3
141: Ryan Budzek (TCNJ) Dec. 4-2 Thomas Stokes (WU); TCNJ leads 6-3  
149: Steven Schneider (TCNJ) Dec. 6-0 Jessie Lopez (WU); TCNJ leads 9-3
157: Antonio Mancella (TCNJ) Dec. 13-9 Nicholas Racanelli (WU); TCNJ leads 12-3
165: Nick Herring (TCNJ) Maj. 11-3 James Ilvento (WU); TCNJ leads 16-3
174: Doug Hamann (TCNJ) Maj. 10-1 Jacob Brook (WU); TCNJ leads 20-3
184: Kyle Diesel (WU) Dec. 4-1 Dan Wojtaszek (TCNJ); TCNJ leads 20-6
197: Constantine Rissiotis (TCNJ) Fall 1:47 Nicholas Dawson (WU); TCNJ leads 26-6
285: Kelly Pullen (WU) Dec. 7-2 Stephen Boncimino(TCNJ); TCNJ leads 26-9