Wrestling Battles Johnson & Wales to 19-19 Draw

PROVIDENCE, R.I. –- The Johnson & Wales University Wildcats battled Bridgewater State University to a 19-19 tie in a Pilgrim Wrestling League (PWL) matchup at the Harborside RAC on Wednesday evening.

Bridgewater took the early 6-0 lead when senior 165-pounder Ethan Raymond (Middlebury, Vt.) posted a win by fall in a time of 1:17.  A 13-4 major decision win by senior 174-pounder Zachary Bates (Leyden, Mass.) followed by a 3-2 victory by junior Michael Fenner (Bergenfield, N.J.) at 184 gave the visitors the early 13-0 lead.

JWU senior All-American Brennan Ward (Waterford, Conn.), currently the ninth ranked wrestler in Division III, notched the first win of the night for the Wildcats with a tought 15-13 victory at 197 pounds.  Junior heavyweight Jon Flegel (Egg Harbor City, N.J.) pinned his opponent in a time of 1:51 to cut the Bridgewater State advantage to 13-9.

The two squads split the next four matches with Bridgewater holding the 19-16 advantage.  In the final match of the evening, JWU freshman Ethan Farrell (Narragansett, R.I.) posted a 9-8 win at 157 pounds to tie the match at 19-19.

Johnson & Wales is now 1-0-1 for the season and 1-0-1 in the Pilgrim League while Bridgewater State is 0-2-1 overall and 0-0-1 in league play.