Sanborn, NY – Every point matters in college wrestling. Garrett College's 29-28 upset of nationally ranked SUNY Niagara County Community College on Friday illustrated that point.
Laker Everett Nichols' 12-4 victory over Niagara 174-pounder Cameron Hall was just enough to qualify for a major decision, earning four team points instead of three for a regular decision. Two other Lakers – Jairome Evans (141) and Brooks Smith (157) – saved points, avoiding pins while dropping technical falls against Vincenzo Falsetti and Michael Syposs, respectively.
Those outcomes – combined with Nicholas Anderson's pin of Ayden Downing at 125 – helped create a 28-28 tie. The Lakers then won the match on criteria, due to their 4-3 advantage in six-point wins.
"Little things mean a lot – they saved that Niagara match for us," said GC head coach David Wingate.
"I knew it was going to be a really close match," added Wingate. "Everett really sealed it. It was his first event back. He weighed in at 165, but we bumped him up to 174 and he caught that major decision instead of just a decision."
The Lakers also took advantage of three upper-weight forfeits as Niagara failed to field wrestlers at 184, 197, and 285 pounds.
Niagara – ranked 14th in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) rankings – built a 28-6 lead with pins by Michael Catanzaro (133), Teshaun Mathew (149), and Joe Cicco (165) along with the tech falls from Falsetti and Syposs.
The Lakers also rolled to a 42-12 win over Onondaga Community College on Friday as Camden Hull (133), Evans (141), and Drayk Bunn (197) notched pins. Smith (157 pounds) earned a 23-7 technical fall against Joseph Martini while Cole Stuchal (165) and Braden Poorbaugh (184) claimed decisions.
GC improved to 3-1 in dual meets, including 3-0 against NJCAA competition. The Lakers' only team loss this season came at NCAA Division II Frostburg State University.
Garrett concluded a busy weekend by also participating in Saturday's Niagara County Community College Open. Anderson (125), Smith (157), Bunn (197), and Jacob Beeman (285) finished third in their respective weight classes while Hull (133) placed fourth.
"I think everything's starting to come together," said Wingate, whose squad will compete Saturday at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Duals.
