ST. LOUIS, MO – Rider University wrestling graduate student Jesse Dellavecchia (Great River, NY/East Islip [Binghamton]) pinned top-seeded Ryan Deakin of Northwestern Friday night in the biggest win in Rider Wrestling history. Dellavecchia becomes the Broncs' first-ever wrestler to advance to the National Championship bout, where he'll face Iowa State's David Carr, the No. 3 seed in the tournament, Saturday night at 7 p.m. on ESPN.  

Earlier in the day in the quarterfinals, Dellavecchia was leading Penn State's Brady Berge, 2-0, when Berge was injured and had to default. The win made Dellavecchia Rider's 16th different wrestler to earn All-America honors.

Following a scoreless first period against Deakin, Dellavecchia started on top in the second period. The Broncs' 157 lb. wrestler was able to turn Deakin for back points and finished off the pin at 3:18.    

Quotes & Notes
"I'm a good top wrestler. I knew that and I know I can turn anyone. I was on top and it worked out."

"It's been a long ride. It's a weird journey, but I've been loving it and I'm just happy to find Rider."

"It feels amazing. I've never felt like that before. It was just awesome. I'm excited for tomorrow." – Rider Graduate Student Jesse Dellavecchia

"Jesse just made Rider Wrestling history becoming the first ever NCAA finalist for our program. Jesse deserves this, he has dedicated his life to the sport and has been completely devoted to our program and University from day one on campus. He has some unfinished business to take care of tomorrow night, but the coaching staff and I couldn't be more proud for Jesse and his family!" - Rider Head Coach John Hangey

- The furthest a Rider wrestler had gone at NCAA's prior to Dellavecchia's historic win was to the third-place bout, an accomplishment the Broncs have boasted five times. Rider's first-ever All-American Lou DiSerafino finished third in 1980, while Adam Derengowski (1991) and Doug Umbehauer (2009) also finished third. John Lucerne (1985) and current Rider Head Coach John Hangey (1993) both finished fourth.
- Dellavecchia is Rider's 16th different wrestling All-American, with two Broncs (John Carvelheira, Chad Walsh) twice earning the honor for 18 All-American honors in program history. He's Rider's first All-American since Walsh and Ryan Wolfe in 2017.
- On the year, Dellavecchia remains unbeaten at 11-0 with four wins by fall.
- Ethan Laird (Waterford, PA/General McLane) fell twice in the quarterfinals and blood round to come up just short of All-American status. He fell to second-seeded Mason Parris of Michigan, 14-4, in the quarterfinals, before Ohio State's Tate Orndorff took a 7-2 decision in the blood round.