WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (January 4, 2006) – Following a one-month layoff, the Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling team returned to the mats by splitting four meets at the John Reese Duals hosted by Wilkes University on Wednesday. With their 2-2 record on the day, the Ducks now stand at 3-3 on the year.
Senior Ian Gorham (Old Bridge, N.J.) and sophomore Brandon MacWhinnie (Barton, N.Y.) both posted 4-0 marks for Stevens. Freshman Pasquale Perrone (Nanuet, N.Y.) was 3-1 at 184 pounds.
The Ducks opened the John Reese Duals with a 30-9 victory over Waynesburg College. After Gorham won by forfeit at 125 pounds, freshman Mark Bistis (Whitehouse Station, N.J.) claimed a 7-4 decision over senior Jim Weishaar (New Windsor, Md.) at 133 pounds. Freshman Patrick Conrad (Enola, Pa.) won by forfeit at 141 pounds. Sophomore Ryan Bennick (Jim Thorpe, Pa.) followed with an 11-5 decision over freshman Jacob Benczo (McKeesport, Pa.). MacWhinnie won by forfeit at 165 pounds. Perrone pinned Matt Baker at the 4:26 mark.
In the second meet of the day, Stevens fell to SUNY Oneonta by the final score of 25-15. Gorham earned a 5-0 decision over junior Scott Gorman (Seaford, N.Y.). Bistis added a 4-1 decision over sophomore Walter Moore (Rush, N.Y.). Freshman Charles Favia (Brick, N.J.) picked up one of his two wins on the day with a 4-3 decision over freshman Devan Wynn Witman (Waverly, N.Y.). MacWhinnie and Perrone added victories during the loss to Oneonta.
Against Baldwin-Wallace College, the Ducks claimed a 25-20 victory as Gorham pinned senior Mike Ham (Concord, Ohio). Conrad added a 6-4 decision and MacWhinnie won by major decision (14-1) over sophomore Brian Haines (Amanda, Ohio). Perrone improved to 3-0 on the day by pinning sophomore Bryan Gulich (Richmond Heights, Ohio) at the 5:47 mark. Junior William Young (Willingboro, N.J.) won by forfeit at 285 pounds.
In the final dual meet of the day, Stevens fell to Wilkes, 35-12. Gorham capped a perfect showing with a 9-5 decision over freshman Felipe Quieroz (Largo, Fla.). Favia earned a 4-1 decision over freshman Erik Smith (Danville, Pa.). MacWhinnie also moved to 4-0 by pinning junior Steve Franko (Falls, Pa.) at 2:45.
Stevens will be back in action on Saturday when the Ducks take on the University of Southern Maine in Gorham, Maine.
