The Plymouth State Wrestling squad has compiled a 5-13 record going into the New England Championships next weekend. The tournament will take place on Sat., Feb. 25th at 9:30 AM and Sun., Feb 26th at 9:30 AM at Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Connecticut.
The Panthers last meet was also at Wesleyan, as they went 1-2 getting their win against Williams College, by a score of 25-18. Senior Mike Willey (Tewksbury, MA) won all three of his bouts, improving his season record to 17-3, and his career record at Plymouth to 81-23. Junior Femi Wheeler (Mamaroneck, N.Y.), first year wrestler Brandon Conrad (East Bridgewater, Mass) and senior Dan Curley (Keokuk, Iowa) all won two bouts.
Last year, the team finished tied for fourth in New England Championships, and looks too repeat that type of success. Alongside Willey, Femi Wheeler has had a very strong individual season as well, carrying a record of 17-5 thios year. Jake Gagnon (Manchester, N. H.) has been very strong at 285lbs., with a 5-1 record over the course of the season. Despite being a first year wrestler, Brandon Conrad has also had a strong season, as he currently has a 9-7 individual record. Rob Phillips (Brick, N.J.) leads the squad with total individual wins, going 24-8 so far this winter. Cody Oliverio (Brick, N.J.) leads the team in pins, compiling four of them.
Although the team has had a rocky regular season, they have had some gutsy individual performances. Look for them to carry that momentum into the New England Championships, starting a week from tomorrow.