Four Wrestlers In Contention After Day One of the NEWA Championships

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Four Bridgewater State University wrestlers are in contention for their respective weight class championships after the first day of action at the 2011 New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Championships at Trinity College.

Senior Ethan Raymond (Middlebury, Vt.) is the only Bear still undefeated as he went 3-0 in the 165-pound weight class.  Raymond will take on Jon Archambeau of Springfield College in the winner's bracket final on Sunday.

Junior Ken Francis (New Bedford, Mass.) rebounded from a second round loss to Springfield's Dru Thomas by winning his final two bouts of the day.  Francis will face Plymouth State's Josh Huber in the wrestleback semifinals on Sunday morning.

Senior Zachary Bates (Leyden, Mass.) won his first two bouts at 174 before falling to Wesleyan's Kyle Roosa in the winner's bracket semifinals.  Bates will take on Alex Freilich of WPI in the wrestleback semifinals on Sunday morning.

After a first round bye freshman Steve McCarthy (Brockton, Mass.) won his first bout, 21-6, but was then pinned by Southern Maine's Billy Cole in the winner's bracket semifinal.  McCarthy will face Josh Gerry of Coast Guard in the wrestleback semifinals on Sunday morning.

In the team standings, Bridgewater State is in seventh place with 26 points. Springfield College is the front-runner with 59.5 points.