LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider wrestling team opened its 2024 dual meet season on Thursday night with a challenging home test against #19 West Virginia. Despite a tough 31-9 team loss, standout performances from Colton Washleski (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central), Michael Wilson (Pittstown, NJ/North Hunterdon), and Isaac Dean (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) provided bright spots for the Broncs.

The Broncs struggled to gain momentum early, but it was No. 22 Colton Washleski at 157 lbs who ignited the team with a gritty 7-3 decision over West Virginia's Caleb Dowling. Washleski initially gave up a takedown but quickly responded, scoring an escape to end the first period 3-1. In the second period, he earned another escape and followed up with a crucial takedown during a flurry of scrambles. Adding a riding time point, Washleski sealed the victory and put Rider on the board.

The next breakthrough came at 174 lbs, where No. 27 Michael Wilson faced off against No. 24 Brody Conley in a thrilling match. After a scoreless first period, Wilson grabbed an escape to take the lead, but Conley responded with a takedown late in the second, making it 3-1. In the third, Wilson staged a dramatic comeback, tying the match at 4-4 with a late takedown before Conley escaped to retake the lead. With just 30 seconds remaining, Wilson's shot defense benefited in securing another takedown and then locked in a cradle, putting Conley on his back to win 11-5 in one of the night's most exciting moments. 

Rider's final victory came at 184 lbs, where Isaac Dean delivered in a tightly contested bout against No. 22 Ian Bush. After exchanging escapes in the second and third periods to make it 1-1, Dean notched the deciding takedown with just 10 seconds left on the clock. Though Bush managed a last-second escape, Dean held on for a 4-2 upset win, rounding out the individual victories for Rider.

Quotes and Notes:
"It's not the outcome we hoped for tonight, we need to be more aggressive and take the wrestling to our opponents if we want a different result. There were definitely some things we can build on which we will do to get ready for next week's matches." - Rider Head Coach John Hangey

Up Next
The Broncs are next in action when they travel to DeKalb, IL to take on the Huskies of Northern Illinois on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.. The Broncs will stay on the road and travel to Wisconsin two days later on Nov. 24 to take on the Badgers for a noon start. 

Match Results vs. West Virginia
125: Jace Schafer (WVU) dec. Will Betancourt (Rider), 1-0
133: No. 22 Jett Strickenberger (WVU) won by fall over Michael Campanaro (Rider), [F – 4:31]
141: No.15 Jordan Titus (WVU) won by fall over McKenzie Bell (Rirder), [TF – 6:14]
149: No. 3 Ty Watters (WVU) tech. fall over No. 24 Sammy Alvarez (Rider), 16-1 [TF – 5:00]
157: No. 22 Colton Washleski (Rider) dec. Caleb Dowling (WVU), 7-3
165: No. 4 Peyton Hall (WVU) tech. fall over Enrique Munguia (Rider), 22-7 [TF – 7:00]
174: No. 27 Michael Wilson (Rider) dec. No. 24 Brody Conley (WVU), 11-5
184: Isaac Dean (Rider) dec. No. 22 Ian Bush (WVU), 4-2
197: No. 33 Austin Cooley (WVU) dec. Steyn De Lange (Rider), 5-1
HWT: Michael Wolfgram (WVU) dec. Collin French (Rider), 7-6