Complete Results
 
KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Jan. 13, 2022) – USMMA wrestling coach Beau Bruno earned his first-career collegiate coaching victory, as the Mariners defeated visiting Hunter College by the final score of 35-17 on Thursday night at the Liebertz Gymnasium. The match was the Mariners' first dual meet of the year, as they improve to 1-0, while the Hawks fall to 0-3 with the loss.
 
Action got underway at the 184-pound weight class, where junior James Cruz (Belleville, N.J.) earned a couple of back points late and grabbed an early four points for Merchant Marine with an 11-2 major decision over his counterpart from Hunter, senior Gevorg Arakelov.
 
After a forfeit win by junior Sam Houston (Wall, N.J.) at 197 made it 10-0 in favor of USMMA, the Hawks struck with three-straight victories, a decision at 285 followed by a pair of forfeits at 125 and 133 that actually put the visitors ahead 15-10. However, freshman Eddie Pinc's (Medina, Ohio) forfeit win at 141 put the Mariners back on top for what wound up being for good, 16-15.
 
Merchant Marine won out the remaining four bouts with freshman Austin Manning (Virginia Beach, Va.) securing a 9-2 decision at 149 to make it 19-5, followed by a quick win by sophomore Tharen Burns (Spring Valley, Calif.) at 157 via a pin in just 44 seconds that put the Mariners up by 10, 25-15.
 
The official match concluded with two forfeit victories by freshman Eric DeWald (Marshall, Va.) at 165 and senior Dominick Esposito (Marlboro, N.J.) at 174.
 
The Mariners won all three exhibitions by way of the fall, as Pinc led it all off with an exciting sudden victory pin in 7:34 wrestling at the 141 weight class, followed by freshman Joe Wiley (Hingham, Mass.) earning a pin in two minutes at 285. The last bout of the night was an exhibition at 184 featuring senior Luke Gauthier (Forked River, N.J.), who pinned his opponent in just 1:32.

Up next, the Mariners will host Stevens Institute next Friday night, Jan. 21, in another home non-conference dual meet. First bout is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Liebertz Gym, but prior to the start, the Mariners will pay tribute to their five graduating seniors with a special Senior Day ceremony. Live video of the entire evening will be available with a link on the USMMA Wrestling Schedule Page.
 
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