WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The College of New Jersey wrestling team claimed their second straight and 11^th overall team championship at the Budd Whitehill Duals hosted by Lycoming College Saturday. The 12^th-ranked Lions defeated 25^th-ranked Washington & Lee University 29-9 before topping 16^th-ranked Messiah College 38-3. Over the course of the tournament, The Lions won 45 of 50 total bouts and outscored opponents 200-15 over the five matches. TCNJ improved to 9-1 with the pair of victories.
 
The Lions claimed back-to-back titles for the first time since 1995-96. Dan Ortega earned All-Tournament team honors at 125 pounds and was also named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler.
 
In their opening match against Washington & Lee, Dan Ortega earned a pin late in the first round to put the Lions up 6-0. Jake Giordano continued his strong weekend, earning a first period takedown and controlling the bout in a 5-2 decision win at 133.
 
At 141, Robert Dinger took his opponent to the mat with just 23 seconds remaining in the third period. The takedown was the difference in a 4-2 decision win. Anthony Gagliano earned a major decision at 149, dominating in a 15-2 victory that put TCNJ up 16-0.
 
After the Generals earned a decision at 157, John Garda earned 12 back points as he built up an 18-2 lead for a tech fall win in the third period. Dan Kilroy followed with a major decision at 174, giving the Lions a 25-3 lead with just three bouts remaining, ensuring the Lions would advance to the championship match.
 
Thomas Anderson fought hard in the final period, but ultimately came up a point shy of earning a tech fall, taking a 15-1 major decision.
 
In the championship bout against Messiah, Ortega again started the match with a pin to put the Lions up 6-0. Giordano earned a 5-3 decision win based largely on the strength of a takedown in the second period.
 
Dinger earned takedowns in the first and second period on his way to a decision at 141. At 149, Gagliano was dominant on his way to a 12-3 major decision, extending the lead to 16-0.
 
Eighth-ranked Stephen Maloney got the Falcons on the board with a decision win at 157.
 
At 165, Garda got the Lions back in the winning column. He racked up over three minutes of control time en route to a 5-0 decision.
 
At 174, Kilroy took his opponent down early in the first and rode out nearly the entire period. He then went to work racking up points in the second. Kilroy took his opponent to the mat three times in the period, and an additional two times in the third period to take a 15-4 major decision and clinch the match for the team.
 
At 184, Daniel Surich turned his opponent late in the second period to take control of the match. He would take a 16-4 major decision.
 
Quinn Haddad put together a near perfect match at 197, earning eight back points in the opening period. He completed the 18-2 tech fall late in the second period with a takedown.
 
The Lions closed out the championship in grand fashion as Thomas Marretta tripped his opponent late in the first period and quickly converted the position into a pin.
 
TCNJ returns to action Jan. 18 at the Will Abele Tournament hosted by Ursinus College.
 

	Match Summary	TCNJ	WAL
125	Dan Ortega (TCNJ) over Riley Parker (Washington & Lee) Fall 2:41	6.0	0
133	Jake Giordano (TCNJ) over Charlie Cunningham (Washington & Lee) Dec 5-2	3.0	0
141	Robert Dinger (TCNJ) over Bryce Crew (Washington & Lee) Dec 4-2	3.0	0
149	Anthony Gagliano (TCNJ) over Alex Winant (Washington & Lee) Maj 15-2	4.0	0
157	Ryan Luth (Washington & Lee) over Matthew Sacco (TCNJ) Dec 12-5	0	3.0
165	John Garda (TCNJ) over Nicholas Konovalchik (Washington & Lee) TF 18-2	5.0	0
174	Daniel Kilroy (TCNJ) over Patrick Hofstedt (Washington & Lee) Maj 15-3	4.0	0
184	Rexx Hallyburton (Washington & Lee) over Daniel Surich (TCNJ) Dec 5-2	0	3.0
197	Thom Anderson (TCNJ) over Brad Basham (Washington & Lee) Maj 15-1	4.0	0
285	Clay Chadwick (Washington & Lee) over Thomas Marretta (TCNJ) Dec 3-2	0	3.0
Dual Meet Score		29.0	9.0

 

	Match Summary	TCNJ	MESS
125	Dan Ortega (TCNJ) over Sean Redington (Messiah) Fall 4:56	6.0	0
133	Jake Giordano (TCNJ) over Josiah Gehr (Messiah) Dec 5-3	3.0	0
141	Robert Dinger (TCNJ) over Dalton Daugherty (Messiah) Dec 7-4	3.0	0
149	Anthony Gagliano (TCNJ) over Nick Barnhart (Messiah) Maj 12-3	4.0	0
157	Stephen Maloney (Messiah) over Matthew Sacco (TCNJ) Dec 6-1	0	3.0
165	John Garda (TCNJ) over Kevin Edwards (Messiah) Dec 5-0	3.0	0
174	Daniel Kilroy (TCNJ) over Matt Pangle (Messiah) Maj 15-4	4.0	0
184	Daniel Surich (TCNJ) over David Stevens (Messiah) Maj 16-4	4.0	0
197	Quinn Haddad (TCNJ) over Joe Embleton (Messiah) TF 18-2	5.0	0
285	Thomas Marretta (TCNJ) over Samuel Blevins (Messiah) Fall 1:52	6.0	0
Dual Meet Score		38.0	3.0