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National champions leave legacy of top finishes

From left, senior Seth Ecker takes down Delaware Valley College senior Eric McCann during a meet on Feb. 4 in Ben Light Gymnasium.

Senior Seth Ecker and graduate student Jeremy Stierly are listed in the wrestling team’s history as two of eight national champions, but they will also be remembered for their contributions in the classroom.

Wrestling: Two claim individual titles in team’s fifth place finish

Vindication shows itself in different forms, as was the case for senior Seth Ecker and graduate student Jeremy Stierly winning individual titles at the NCAA Championships yesterday in La Crosse, Wis. Ecker defeated all the competitors in the 133-pound weight class, while Stierly took first in the 149-pound category.

Junior cultivates wrestling team’s family vibe

From left, junior Jules Doliscar takes down SUNY-Oswego freshman Chris Wise during the Bombers’ 35–6 win Dec. 10 in Ben Light Gymnasium. Doliscar is 25—3 this season.

Junior Jules Doliscar’s dedication has always set him apart from other successful wrestlers.

Fraternal ties

From left, freshman Grant Dickey, junior Keith Dickey, junior Rick Gomez, freshman Alex Gomez, graduate student Nick Sanko and sophomore Brett Sanko stand together in the Wrestling Room on Sunday in Ben Light Gymnasium. The six wrestlers have combined for 36 wins this season and compete in four different weight classes. RACHEL ORLOW/THE ITHACAN

Though most college fraternities and teams aim to create familial bonds between members, this year’s wrestling team already has three sets of brothers to help build unity.

Wrestlers defend national rankings

From left, Thiel College junior Kevin Heyman tries to pin Bombers senior Matt Mahon during the first round of the  Ithaca Invitational on Friday in Glazer Arena. Mahon placed second in the heavyweight class at the meet. KRISTINA STOCKBURGER/THE ITHACAN

Collectively, the wrestling team is ranked fourth in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association rankings, but five individual Bombers with dominant performances last season have been motivated to achieve individual glory this season.

Eyeing a takedown

From left, junior Derek Brenon takes down senior Nick Sanko during practice Monday in Ben Light Gymnasium. The Bombers are 12–2 overall this season and ranked fourth in the latest National Wrestling Coaches’ Association poll. GRAHAM HEBEL/THE ITHACAN

With an overall record of 12–2 and six wrestlers ranked at the top of their individual weight classes, the wrestling team’s athletes continue to support one another and tweak their technique on their way to another run at a national title.

Back on the mat

From left, senior Nick Sanko wraps up sophomore David Foley at practice Monday in Ben Light Gymnasium. Sanko is ranked eighth in the 157-pound weight class in the most recent National Wrestling Coaches Association poll. PARKER CHEN/THE ITHACAN

Senior Nick Sanko’s first three years with the wrestling team have literally been an up-and-down, back-and-forth experience.


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