Bristol, RI --- Tanner Thatcher (Blairstown, NJ) captured the 125 pound championship and Charlie Pavis (Bethlehem, PA) finished second at 133 pounds as WPI wrestling concluded the 2023 portion of its schedule Saturday, competing in the Scott Vierra Open at Roger Williams.
 
Thatcher was a perfect 4-0 on the day at 125 pounds, opening up with back-to-back falls (1:22 and 4:53) before posting a 12-1 major decision in his semifinal bout.  In the championship match against Mason Franklin of Johnson & Wales, the junior logged a quick takedown before winning the title on a pin at 1:17.  Pavis collected a 12-7 win in the quarterfinals and a hard-earned 4-1 decision in the semis before falling 12-5 to Bridgewater State's Malcolm Chrispin in the championship match at 133.
 
Joseph Tully (Carver, MA) and Ethan Edmondson (Milford, CT) and teamed up for five wins at 174 pounds.  Tully rattled off three straight pins while Edmondson collected a 15-4 major decision and a 11-4 triumph.  WPI also had a pair of multi-winners at 141.  Mason Basara (Bethlehem, PA) began his day with an 8-1 victory and later added a 18-3 (3:08) tech fall while Jerry Hill (Bethel, CT) bounced back after an early defeat to record consecutive first period falls.
 
Lucas Marchese (Branchburg, NJ) excelled at 149 pounds.  The rookie started the day off with a 19-9 major decision and chipped in a pin to beat the second period buzzer and a 11-6 win by decision.  Zachary Rioux (Nashua, NH) captured his Round of 16 bout at 157 by a 8-2 second and posted a 13-2 major decision in the wrestlebacks.

Other winners for the Engineers included Theo Sawyers (Boston, MA) with an opening round 17-0 tech fall (5:00) at 165 pounds, Joe Bernard (Stratham, NH) with an opening round 14-2 major decision at 197, Ryan Hsu (Norwood, MA) with a 3-1 triumph at 174, Ethan Wilson (Braintree, MA) and Trevor Bowen (Frenchtown, NJ) with a first period pins at 149 and heavyweight respectively and Joey Baisley (Charlotte, NC) with a 10-6 victory at 149.
 
WPI is now off through final exams and the holiday season, returning to the mat for a tri-match on Saturday, January 6th, 2024 in Middletown, CT.   The Crimson and Gray will tangle with Bridgewater State and square off with Wesleyan with action slated to begin at noon.
 
Results