The TCNJ wrestling team, ranked No. 4 nationally, defeated No. 23 Ithaca College with a score of 27-13 on Friday night in Ithaca, New York.
Key performances for the Lions included last-second wins by Vinnie Santaniello and J.J. Giordano. Matthew Griffin, Garrett Totten, and D.J. Henry each secured technical falls for TCNJ. Henry, along with Santaniello and Hunter Mays, also defeated nationally ranked opponents.
This victory was notable as it reversed a previous loss to Ithaca three weeks prior at Lycoming’s Budd Whitehill National Duals, when TCNJ had been missing several starters who were competing elsewhere. With its full lineup available for this rematch, TCNJ was able to avenge that defeat.
Griffin started the match strongly for the Lions by winning against Cosmo Damiani with an 18-3 technical fall in the first period at 125 pounds. Totten followed up with a dominant performance over Jay McDonnell, ending their bout early with a 17-2 technical fall.
Santaniello edged out Isaias Torres—who is a three-time NCAA qualifier and 2024 All-American—with an overtime takedown after both wrestlers remained tied through regulation time. Giordano added another dramatic win by coming from behind to defeat William Bentrim in the final seconds of their match.
Ithaca managed to secure some points with a pin at 157 pounds and a close decision at 165 pounds. However, Mays controlled his bout against Konrad Parker at 174 pounds for a comfortable win, while Henry earned another technical fall over Ryan Galka at 197 pounds.
Matt Coon closed out the dual meet for TCNJ with an 11-6 decision over Charlie Turner in the heavyweight division.
Following this win, TCNJ improves its season record to 11-6 and will continue competition in New York with matches scheduled against Cortland, Oswego State, and Delaware Valley.
“Henry extended his team-leading tech fall tally to nine,” according to the team’s notes.
“Totten’s seventh tech fall of the season was his team-best 20th victory.”
“Mays remained unbeaten on the year at 15-0.”
“Santaniello and Henry improved to 11-1 in duals, with Totten at 10-1 and Griffin at 8-1.”
