No. 9 Coast Guard beat Johnson & Wales for the first time since 2001 on Friday night. (Photo courtesy Coast Guard)
PROVIDENCE, R.I., Dec. 10, 2021 – Coast Guard’s Tony Ulaszek (149 pounds) recorded the only pin of the match as No. 9 Coast Guard beat No. 14 Johnson & Wales for the first time in 20 years with a 24-14 dual meet win Friday night.
The Bears (2-0) had dropped 24 straight matches to the Wildcats, last beating JWU 25-18 in February 2001.
Ulaszek, ranked third nationally at 149 pounds, registered the pin in 2:15 as the Bears took an 18-14 lead. He is now 10-0 in the season with nine pins.
Coast Guard’s Joe Chapman (157) trailed by one point with under 10 seconds remaining when he picked up a pair of points to earn a 4-3 victory and clinch the victory for the Bears. Steven Rochard closed out the bout with a 11-6 win at 165 for Coast Guard.
In a matchup of nationally ranked wrestlers, Coast Guard’s Paul Detwiler, ranked second nationally remained unbeaten and dominated No. 7 Ryan Devivo, winning a 20-7 major decision to tie the match at 4-4.
Coy Spooner, ranked fifth nationally at 197 pounds, gave the Bears a 7-4 lead by winning a 7-0 decision over Dylan Harr. Spooner is now 14-0 on the season.
Johnson & Wales would earn a major decision at heavyweight to take an 8-7 lead with six matches left. Brock Laggini gave the Bears the lead with an 18-0 tech. fall win in 6:39 at 125 pounds as the Bears took a 12-8 lead into intermission. The Wildcats picked up decisions at 133 and 141 to regain the lead 14-12 before the Bears won the final three matches.
The Bears (2-0) are off until they compete at the National Duals in Louisville, Ky. on January 6-7.
Coast Guard 24, Johnson and Wales 14
At Providence, RI
174 – (5) Mike Ross (JWU) major dec. David McCullough, 12-1
184 – (2) Paul Detwiler (CGA) major dec. (7) Ryan Devivo, 20-7
197- (5) Coy Spooner (CGA) dec. Dylan Harr, 7-0
285 – (7) Liridon Leka (JWU) major dec. Tim Ganuncio, 17-6
125 – Brock Laggini (CGA) tech. fall Christian Rivas, 18-0 (6:39)
133 – Gabrieal Leo-Esparolini (JWU) dec. Liam Logue, 10-5
141 – Hayden Brown (JWU) dec. Caden Mareno, 6-4
149 – (3) Tony Ulaszek (CGA) pinned Gabe McDaniel, 2:15
157 – Joe Chapman (CGA) dec. Tyler Albis, 4-3
165 – Steven Rochard (CGA) dec. Scott Defex, 11-6
Records: Coast Guard 2-0, Johnson & Wales 5-2
