New London, CT --- Charlie Pavis (Bethlehem, PA) went 2-0 Saturday to secure a spot in Sunday's semifinals, and classmate Joseph Bernard (Stratham, NH) battled back from an early setback to capture three straight elimination bouts and remain alive as WPI began competition in the two-day NCAA Division III Region 1 Wrestling Tournament hosted by Coast Guard.
 
The duo combined for five of the Engineers' eight victories on the tournament's opening day, with Trevor Bowen (Frenchtown, NJ) racking up a pair of triumphs and Mason Basara (Bethlehem, PA) notching a notable first-round upset as the Crimson and Gray amassed 26 team points. WPI currently sits in 15th place, just 11 points shy of the top 10. The top of the standings is tightly packed, with Springfield's 104.5 points leading the 19-team field, while four squads enter the final day within 14 points of the lead.
 
Seeded fifth at 125 pounds, Pavis opened his day with a second-period pin (4:34) of Bridgewater State's Sei Dolomengi before turning the tables on fourth-seeded Jack Callahan of Springfield. Springfield had defeated Pavis two weeks ago in the dual meet finale, but this time the senior flipped the script in the quarterfinals with an 11-3 major decision.
 
Pavis will have two paths Sunday to earn one of the three Region 1 berths to the NCAA National Championship meet in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in mid-March. He can punch his ticket with a win in the semifinals - securing a spot in the regional final - or by claiming a pair of victories later in the day in the consolation bracket.
 
The consolation bracket proved no deterrent for Joe Bernard. The 197-pounder drew the No. 3 seed in the preliminary round and dropped a hard-fought 4-3 decision to Zach Borzio of Williams. The senior then pieced together three consecutive victories to earn a spot in Sunday's action. 
 
Bernard began his run with a first-period pin (2:30) of Gregory Brunk from Maine Maritime.  He followed by a gritty 2-1 victory on riding time against Imanol Taveras of Rhode Island College, climaxing with a dramatic takedown in sudden victory to defeat seventh-seeded Christian Curley of Bridgewater State 4-1.
 
The senior will need three more wins Sunday to earn a trip to Iowa.
 
Basara made his mark on the tournament with the biggest seed-based upset on the championship side of the 149-pound bracket, posting a 12-2 major decision over sixth-seeded Andrew Pratt of Trinity.  Bowen collected two wins at heavyweight, recording a 4-0 shutout of Bridgewater State's Michael Mastroianni in the preliminary round before earning a third-period pin of Emmanuel's Jack Disharoon.
 
Six others competed Saturday for the Crimson and Gray, including Joel Puri (Milford, MA) at 133, Mason Medina (Orlando, FL) at 141, Jonah Weber (Avon, CT) at 157, Joey Baisley (Charlotte, NC) at 165, Theo Sawyers (Boston, MA) at 174 and Michael McNulty (Manasquan, NJ) at 184. All but one of the 17 losses suffered by WPI wrestlers on the day came against higher-seeded opponents.

Standings
1 Springfield (104.5)
2 Williams (98)
3 Castleton (96)
4 Coast Guard (93)
5 Johnson & Wales (91)
6 Wesleyan (66.5)
7 Trinity (53.5)
8 Western New England (50.5)
9 Roger Williams (41)
10 Norwich (37)
11 Southern Maine (36)
12 Emmanuel (33)
13 Bridgewater State (32)
14 Rhode Island College (30.5)
15 WPI (26)
16 New England College (21)
17 Plymouth State (12)
18 Maine Maritime (7)
19 Utica (3)
 
Brackets