HENNIKER, N.H. – Trailing 14-0 after the first three weight classes were settled, the University of Southern Maine Huskies wrestling team earned dominating wins at 149, 157 and 165 to take the lead en route to a 32-17 win over the New England College Pilgrims Friday night at Bridges Gym.
Juniors
Colby Frost (Steep Falls, Maine/Bonny Eagle),
Kaleb Pool (Tucson, Arizon) and
Tyler Haynes (Metuchen, N.J.) led the Huskies' surge with a win by fall, a win by technical fall, and another win by fall for a quick 17-point swing.
With the victory, Southern Maine has now won its last dual matches consecutively and are 13-6 on the season. USM defeated NEC earlier in the year at the 2024 New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Duals 39-11 on January 21. New England College is now 7-6, and had a five-match win streak snapped.
Records
Southern Maine 13-6
New England College 7-6
Dual Results
Southern Maine 32, New England College 17
On the Mat:
- Ranked fifth in region at 149 lbs, Frost took on seventh ranked Zach Soda with the Huskies down 14-0, and scored the first six points of the match for the Huskies dropping Soda with a win by fall in 4:32.
- Ranked eighth at 157 lbs, Pool added five more points to the Huskies tally, working NEC's Andrew Piedrahita for a 19-3 technical fall victory, pulling USM to within three of the Pilgrims 14-11.
- Wrestling at 165 lbs, Haynes delivered six points for the Huskies win a win by fall over Dominic DeMai in 2:59, putting USM ahead 17-14.
- The Pilgrims tied the match up at 17 with a win by decision at 174, before Southern Maine won the last three bouts consecutively for the 32-17 final, including back-to-back pins at 184 and 197. Freshman Michael Sanchez (Nesconset, N.Y/Smithtown East) had a huge win by fall in 4:36 over Nathaniel Phillion, giving USM a six-point gap.
- Sophomore Anthony Mears (Lawrence, Mass./Central Catholic) doubled the Pilgrims' deficit with a quick pin of Maxwell Ross in 0:48 at 197 pounds for a 29-17 Husky lead.
- Up by 12 and with the match secure, senior Nick Beebe (Brentwood, N.H./Exeter) closed the match with a solid 3-2 come-from-behind win over Brandon Lavasta at 285 for the 32-17 final.
Match Results
Southern Maine 34, New England College NEC USM
125: Chris DeRosa (NEC) decision
Jake Craig (SM), 3-2 3 0
133: John Lafferty (NEC) won by forfeit 9 0
141: Boburjon Berdiyorov (NEC) technical fall
Caden Frost (SM), 19-4 14 0
149:
Colby Frost (SM) pinned Zach Soda (NEC), 4:32 14 6
157:
Kaleb Pool (SM) technical fall Andrew Piedrahita (NEC), 19-3 14 11
165:
Tyler Haynes (SM) pinned Dominic DeMai (NEC), 2:59 14 17
174: Kyle Gora (NEC) decision
Derek Cote (SM), 6-0 17 17
184:
Michael Sanchez (SM) pinned Nathaniel Philion (NEC), 4:36 17 23
197:
Anthony Mears (SM) pinned Maxwell Ross (NEC), 0:48 17 29
285:
Nick Beebe (SM) decision Brandon Lavasta (NEC), 3-2 17 32
Up Next:
Southern Maine returns home on Saturday (1:00 pm) and will host Norwich University. The Huskies will then be off for 15 days before returning to action at the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Futures Tournament hosted by Western New England University on Saturday, February 25 (10:30 am).
-cac-
