PSU Wrestling edged by Norwich in season opener

            PLYMOUTH, N.H. - Norwich University and Plymouth State University each won five individual bouts Wednesday evening, but the Cadets pulled out a 20-18 victory over the Panthers in Division III collegiate wrestling action at Foley Gymnasium.

            It was a see-saw battle, with four lead changes.  Norwich took a 6-0 lead on decisions by junior Alexander Whitney (Amherst, N.H.) at 184 pounds and freshman Chris Rideout at 197, but PSU came back to take a 9-6 lead on a decision by senior Josh St. Ours (Manchester, N.H./Memorial) at heavyweight and a pin by sophomore Fred Wilkinson (Quogue, N.Y.) at 125 pounds.

            Norwich won the next two matches to take a 16-9 lead, freshman Wesly Walter recording a fall at 133 pounds and senior Brian Zane (Franklinville, N.J.) a major decision at 141.  The Panthers battled back to take an 18-16 advantage with three straight decisions from freshman Dustin Rudy (Iselin, N.J.) at 149, sophomore Jared Laganas (Dracut, Mass.) at 157 and sophomore Donny Connolly (Plaistow, N.H./Timberlane) at 165.

            The Cadets pulled out the team when freshman Jake Ferguson earned a decision in the final match at 174 pounds.

            PSU will be back on the mats this Saturday with a visit to Oneonta, N.Y., for the annual Oneonta State Red Dragon Invitational.  Norwich travels to Springfield, Mass., this Saturday for the Springfield Invitational.

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