BUIES CREEK, NC – The Rider wrestling team continued its strong start to the new year, posting its second 2–0 weekend of the season with dominant out-of-conference victories over The Citadel (31–9) and Campbell (42–3) on Saturday afternoon.

Rider vs. The Citadel
The dual opened at 125 pounds with #23/20 Tyler Klinsky jumping out to an early 3–0 lead off a slick single-leg takedown. Klinsky added another takedown later in the opening period, but Gylon Sims capitalized on a sitting switch to briefly catch Klinsky on his back and take a 7–6 lead after one. Klinsky chose bottom to start the second period and quickly escaped to even the score before returning to his offense with another takedown to take a 10–7 lead heading into the third. Sims escaped to open the final period, but Klinsky continued to control the pace, scoring another takedown to extend the lead to 13–8. Sims answered with a quick escape and late takedown to cut the margin to 13–12, but Klinsky secured a final escape in the closing moments to seal a gritty 14–12 decision.

At 133, Will Betancourt controlled the pace throughout, using three takedowns on his way to a 10–2 major decision over Marcus Wright.

#17/14 Elijah Griffin followed with bonus points at 141, locking up a body lock and securing a quick first-period fall over George Rosas to extend the Rider lead to 13–0.

Dylan Layton battled #31 Carson DesRosier at 149, rallying late to score a takedown in the final seconds to take a 5–4 lead. DesRosier escaped in the closing moments and held the riding-time advantage, earning the decision and putting The Citadel on the board.

The highlight of the dual came at 157, where Gianni Maldonado pulled off a major upset against #26/29 Kyrel Leavell. Trailing 6–2 midway through the second, Maldonado scored on a reversal to cut the deficit and then scored off a slick low single off a restart to tie the bout. The freshman capped the rally with back points in the final seconds to secure a 9–7 victory and push the team score to 16–3.

The Bulldogs earned a decision win at 165 lbs, but the Broncs got one back at 174 lbs from a first-period fall from #32 Enrique Munguia. 

The Citadel took 184 lbs but would close the dual strong, however, with #22/23 Brock Zurawski earning a first-period fall at 197 and Hogan Swenski picking up a decision at heavyweight to seal the 31–9 win.

Match Results
Rider 31, The Citadel 9 
125: #23/20 Tyler Klinsky (RID) over Gylon Sims (CIT), DEC (14-12)
133: Will Betancourt (RID) over Marcus Wright (CIT), MD (10-2)
141: #17/14 Elijah Griffin (RID) over George Rosas (CIT), FALL (1:45)
149: #31 Carson DesRosier (CIT) over Dylan Layton (RID), DEC (6-5)
157: Gianni Maldonado (RID) over #26/29 Kyrel Leavell (CIT), DEC (9-7)
165: #21/29 Thomas Snipes (CIT) over Brendon Abdon (RID), DEC (6-4)
174: #32 Enrique Munguia (RID) over Braxton Russell (CIT), FALL (1:27)
184: Brodie Porter (CIT) over Giovanni Alejandro (RID), DEC (4-1)
197: #22/23 Brock Zurawski (RID) over Adam Ortega (CIT), FALL (0:35)
285: Hogan Swenski (RID) over Christian Bell (CIT), DEC (5-2)

Rider vs Campbell
The Broncs wasted little time in the nightcap, opening with a forfeit at 125 to give Klinsky six points. Betancourt followed with a hard-fought 3–2 decision at 133 before Griffin erupted at 141, piling up 23 points in a 23–7 second-period technical fall to make it 14–0.

Layton added more bonus points at 149, putting on a scoring clinic in a 19–4 technical fall. 

Campbell picked up its lone win of the dual at 157, but the Broncs dominated the remaining weights.

Rider closed the match with bonus-point victories from Brendon Abdon (165), #32 Enrique Munguia (174), and #22/23 Brock Zurawski (197), rolling to a convincing 42–3 victory over the Fighting Camels.

Match Results 
Rider 42, Campbell 3
125:#23/20 Tyler Klinsky (Rider) forfeit win
133: Will Betancourt (Rider) over Logan Heil (Campbell), Dec. 3-2
141: #17/14 Elijah Griffin (Rider) over Zander Phaturos (Campbell), TF 4:44
149: Dylan Layton (Rider) over Jonathan Chang (Campbell), TF 6:34
157: Kendrick Hodge (Campbell) over Gianni Maldonado (Rider), Dec. 4-1
165: Brendon Abdon (Rider) over Talon Maple (Campbell), MD 12-0
174: #32 Enrique Munguia (Rider) over Ryan Bolletino (Campbell), F 2:27
184: JP Hangey (Rider) forfeit win
197: #22/23 Brock Zurawski (Rider) over Conor Maslanek (Campbell), MD 16-3
285: Hogan Swenski (Rider) over Sawyer Van Rider (Campbell), Dec. 4-2

Quotes and Notes
"Today was a good confidence boost for our guys.  We wrestled aggressively and worked hard to score points, something we will look to continue and build on moving forward." – Rider Head Coach John Hangey

Up Next
The Broncs return to action on Jan. 24, hosting Edinboro in Alumni Gym.
First whistle is set for 4 p.m.