PRINCETON, NJ – The Rider wrestling team delivered a thrilling performance to edge out cross-town rival Princeton, 23-19, in an intense dual meet on Friday night in Jadwin Gym. The Broncs earned bonus points in four of their five victories to secure to MAC-IVY trophy back to Lawrenceville.
The dual meet started at 174 lbs where
Michael Wilson took on Xavier Giles. Facing a 6-1 deficit after the opening period, Wilson chose the bottom position to begin the second. Following an escape, the graduate student secured his first takedown of the match, cutting his deficit to 6-5. Wilson continued his second-period dominance with another takedown, gaining the 8-7 lead. The Bronc set the tone of the match after finding a way to put Giles in his back following his takedown to earn the fall and put Rider on the board.
No. 14
Isaac Dean kept the momentum going for the Broncs as he took on Princeton's Kole Mulhauser. Dean set the tone early, striking first on the scoreboard. After a reversal in the second period, Dean had a 5-2 advantage going into the final period. Dean kept the pressure in the third period, earning two takedowns, including one in the final seconds to secure the 12-4 major decision to give the Broncs bonus points, moving the team score to 10-0.
The Tigers went on to take the next five bouts until a top-15 matchup at 149 lbs, where No. 15
Sammy Alvarez took on undefeated and No. 8 Ty Whalen. Alvarez struck first, giving him the early 3-0 lead. Whalen earned the escape to close out the first period. Whalen earned his second escape in the second period, cutting the deficit to 3-2. The difference in the match would be Alvarez's second takedown, extending his lead to 6-2. The Bronc began the final period in the bottom position, quickly earning an escape to seal an impressive 7-3 victory against the highest-ranked opponent he has faced this season.
Trailing the dual meet 19-13, No. 27 Colton Washlski came up big for the Broncs at 157 lbs earning a major decision over Jacob Mann to move the team score to 19-17.
The final bout of the night at 165 lbs featured No. 30
Enrique Munguia facing off against Zander Silva. Munguia started strong, scoring the only takedown of the first period. Beginning the second period in the bottom position, Munguia secured a reversal to extend his lead to 5-0. In the final period, he maintained his aggressive approach, securing another takedown before capping off the match with a dominant fall. Munguia's performance not only earned him an impressive individual victory but also sealed the dual for the Broncs.
Results
Rider 23, Princeton 19
174:
Michael Wilson (Rider) over Xavier Giles (Princeton) (Fall 4:52)
184: No. 14
Isaac Dean (Rider) over Kole Mulhauser (Princeton) (MD 12-4)
197: No. 16 Luke Stout (Princeton) over
Brock Zurawski (Rider) (TF 22-5 6:27)
285: Sebastian Garibaldi (Princeton) over
Collin French (Rider) (Dec 8-4)
125: No. 22 Marc-Anthony McGowan (Princeton) over
Noah Michaels (Rider) (TF 19-3 5:21)
133: Drew Heethuis (Princeton) over
Will Betancourt (Rider) (Dec 5-0)
141: No. 25 Eligh Rivera (Princeton) over No. 29
McKenzie Bell (Rider) (SV-1 8-5)
149: No. 15
Sammy Alvarez (Rider) over No. 8 Ty Whalen (Princeton) (Dec 7-3)
157: No. 27
Colton Washleski (Rider) over Jacob Mann (Princeton) (MD 14-6)
165: No. 30
Enrique Munguia (Rider) over Zander Silva (Princeton) (Fall 5:41)
Quotes and Notes
"Tonight was a great team win. Our guys wrestled hard and we got some good performances when we needed them, big win for
Sammy Alvarez too."
— Rider Head Coach John Hangey
- The Broncs are now 19-8 in all-time series history.
- First win over the Tigers since 2023.
Up Next
The Broncs return to action on Jan. 25 when they host Drexel in Alumni Gym for Senior Recognition Night.
Match is set for 7 p.m.
