Ducks compete at MSG Grapple

Wrestling overcomes rivals NYU in 25-7 victory

After Thanksgiving, most of us have probably sauntered immediately over to the couch, patting our portly bellies and slipping into a groggy nap. But that was not the case for the hardworking Stevens Wrestling Team, who on the following Sunday took part in the Grapple at the Garden just across the Hudson.
As the name implies, the Grapple is an annual collegiate wrestling tournament located at the Madison Square Garden arena, hosting Division I-III teams hailing from across the United States. Though the Grapple was only just into its second year, it has continually accrued a large audience.
This year, a corps of 8,800 attendees composed of family and fans alike presented themselves at the matches, and Stevens was no exception to the contribution. Prior to the Grapple, the Ducks had achieved third place at the prestigious Doug Parker Invitational at Springfield College (Springfield, MA) on November 23rd, contributing to their already impressive 3-0 record; clearly, the team was a force not to be reckoned with.
New York University was Stevens’ opponent at this particular event, ranked the 19th-best DIII team in the nation, compared to Stevens at #23. But it seemed that numbers weren’t a thing unless they tallied wins, which our wrestlers racked up with ease.
According to the Stevens Athletics website contributor Rob Kulish and fan-based records, freshman Rob Murray started the match off well, having earned 3 points with no losses, along with sophomore Ryan Wilson, who also gained 3 points.
Junior Jake Odell also wrestled undefeated, racking up 4 points, as did senior Ryan Dormann with 3. Junior Mike Polizzi gained 6, and junior Conner Bass tallied 2. Stevens continued to impress the crowd as senior captain Alex Moreno added 6 for the Ducks, and junior heavyweight Chris Florek closed the set with a win for the team. In the end, the Violets were crushed under webbed feet as the Ducks clinched a 25-7 point win over NYU, for an undefeated 4-0 straight set victories.
A few days after the Grapple at the Garden, Stevens carried a very impressive 51-0 win at Home against Yeshiva University on Thursday, and after winter break the Ducks will step into the Virginia Duals at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, VA on January 10-11.
The Stevens Wrestling Team has one of the longest and most strenuous seasons of all the Ducks teams, lasting from mid-October through March, during which they train daily for their many matches throughout the year.
It is clear that the Ducks’ hard work has paid off with their hitherto successful season and their astounding victory at the Grapple.