WHITEWATER, Wisc. - The No. 2 TCNJ wrestling team made a big statement on Thursday night, routing No. 7 Wisconsin-Whitewater by a 31-6 count in a highly anticipated showdown in America's Dairyland.
 
The Lions (5-0) turned the centerpiece of their trip to the Badger State into a runaway, registering bonus points in five bouts to dominate a Warhawks squad that placed 13th at last year's NCAA Championships and brought pack a pair of All-Americans.
 
Matt Coon opened the dual with a tight 2-1 victory at heavyweight.
 
Matthew Griffin then kicked off a string of three consecutive major decisions with a 17-5 triumph over Brady Phelps at 125, and Garrett Totten handled Jordan Rasof, 14-3, at 133.
 
Vinnie Santaniello made his own personal statement at 141, using two third-period takedowns to hand 10th-ranked Justin Fortugno an 11-3 defeat at 141.
 
The Warhawks (2-3) got on the board with decisions at 149 an 157, with Colin Menier giving 2025 All-American and 5th-ranked Dominick Mallinder a tough tussle in an 11-6 loss at 149.
 
Steve Dalling broke a third-period deadlock with a late takedown for an 8-5 victory over Aden Byal at 165, setting up a big showdown between Mays and Brayden Peet, a returning All-American who came in ranked No. 3 in the nation at 165. He was no match for the top-ranked Mays, who utilized takedowns in the first and third periods to cruise to a 7-2 win.
 
The Lions closed out the night in style with back-to-back tech falls, the first a 21-6 victory for Jimmy Dolan at 184.
 
D.J. Henry, ranked No. 2 in the country at 197, early handled Logan Kawa with seven takedowns in a 21-5 win that didn't make it to the third period.
 
The Lions stay in Wisconsin to compete in the CUW Invitational on Saturday.

NOTES

• Coon, Dolan, Griffin, Henry, Mays, and Santaniello are all unbeaten in duals this season
• Henry has worked technical falls in all but one of his five dual wins
• Dolan, Griffin, and Santaniello have earned bonus points in all of their bouts on the year