LaCrosse, Wisc. -- March 12, 2011 -- Joe Grippi (Bedford Hills, N.Y.) and Ron Fusco (Billerica, Mass.) of the Springfield College wrestling team fought valiantly, but bowed out in Day 2 of the NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championships. A sophomore 141-pounder in his second NCAA Championships event, Grippi wrestled Matt Kelly, the #7-seed from Wartburg College, today, only to lose by a 6-5 score. Grippi was thus eliminated in that bout.
A senior heavyweight in his first NCAA's, Fusco fared slightly better, splitting on the day. Fusco first defeated #5-seeded Alex Burkle from Coe College, 3-1. Fusco then lost, however, to #7-seeded William Mayer from host UW-LaCrosse, 7-3. Fusco fell one win shy of finishing in a top eight position.
Here is a summary of how the two SC wrestlers fared at the NCAA's on March 11-12, 2011:
Joe Grippi, sophomore 141-pounder
1) def. Kevin Bokoski, Luther, 6-2
2) lost to #2-seed Jeremy Stierly, Ithaca, 10-3
3) lost to #7-seed Matt Kelly, Wartburg, 6-5
Ron Fusco, senior heavyweight
1) lost to #3-seed Judson Connell, Merchant Marine, 11-6
2) pinned Tom Foote, Williams, 0:45
3) def. #5-seed Alex Burkle, Coe, 3-1
4) lost to #7-seed William Mayer, Wartburg, 7-3
Springfield finished with a team score of 4.5 points.
Jason Holder will enter his second season as head wrestling coach in 2012. Holder had a standout first season at the helm of the Pride, leading Springfield to the NEWA Duals Championship and taking three wrestlers to the NCAA Championships.
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