PHILADELPHIA, PA - Graduate Student Ethan Laird took home the 197 lbs crown at the 2022 Keystone Classic as Rider finished 3rd overall in University City. In total 10 Broncs reached the podium including a pair of second-place finishes from McKenzie Bell and Shane Reitsma. 

Laird came into the day the #2 seed at 197 receiving a bye in the first round. Laird would dominate his opponents in the second and third bouts, winning both by fall, putting himself into the finals vs Arizona State's #15 Kordell Norfleet. Laird would take the final bout, 7-6, and win the Keystone Classic for the first time in his career. Laird reached the podium in his last two trips to the Palestra finishing, second back in 2019. 

Bell and Reitsma had impressive days, finishing second at 141 lbs and 174 lbs, respectively. Bell continued his impressive matches after upsetting #11 Parker Filius of Purdue last weekend by winning his first two bouts by Tech Fall and Major Decision. Reitsma, who finished 8th at the Keystone Classic last year, found himself higher on the podium in 2022 going 3-1 on the day in four closely-contested bouts. 

Corey Connolly, David Szuba, Hunter Mays, and Quinn Kinner all finished 4th at their respective weights, while Tyler Klinsky finished 7th at 125 and Richie Koehler and Michael Wilson finished 8th to round out the Broncs on the podium.

Quotes and Notes
"Today was a good test for our guys, the caliber of competition was what we needed to see where we stood with some of the best kids in the country. Overall we wrestled well, but still need to work on fine details to keep growing. Ethan is wrestling well this year. MHe's wrestling with the poise and confidence it takes to win big matches at the NCAA's in March. Today was also another good day for McKenzie, Quinn, Hunter and David and that consistency will pay off down the road for them."- Rider Head Coach John Hangey

- In total six Broncs were able to get to a semifinal bout with Laird, Reitsma, and Bell all making it to the finals.
- As a team, Rider finished 3rd right behind two nationally-ranked programs in #16 Virginia Tech and #15 Penn.
- The Broncs return to duals when they host #1 Penn State at CURE Insurance Arena on Friday, Dec, 2.

Team Results

1. Virginia Tech – 174.5
2. Penn – 163.5
3. Rider – 120
4. Appalachian State – 115
5. Harvard – 71
6. George Mason – 70
7. Drexel – 69
8. Arizona State – 65.5
9. Duke – 34.5
10. Franklin & Marshall – 30
11. Sacred Heart – 12