Posted: Nov 04, 2016

Golden Bears Open 2016-17 Season at Ithaca Invitational

Donovan & Boyle advance to quarterfinals

ITHACA, N.Y. (November 4, 2016) – The Western New England University wrestling team opened its 2016-17 campaign earlier today at the Ithaca Invitational, hosted by Ithaca College at the Athletics and Events Center.

Top Performers
• Senior captain Brian Donovan (Manchester, Conn.) was among two Golden Bears to advance to the quarterfinals, earning a 6-3 decision over Shane Triantos of the Stevens Institute of Technology at 197 pounds. Donovan, who had a bye in the first round, will open day two action tomorrow with a matchup against Ithaca's Carlos Toribio.
• Freshman John Boyle (Rowley, Mass.) enjoyed a strong start to his collegiate career, winning by technical fall over George Kassis of Oswego State at 184. Boyle will face Ithaca's Jake Ashcraft in the quarterfinals tomorrow.

Other Notable Performances
• Freshman Austin Roche (Southborough, Mass.), who went 3-1 at 141 pounds with three pins, finds himself in the fourth round of the consolation bracket.
• Freshman Taylor Pfaff (Albany, N.Y.) also reached the fourth round of the consolation bracket at 157, with both of his wins coming by decision (9-4 and 9-2, respectively).
• In addition to Boyle, Roche and Pfaff, freshmen DJ Tartsinis (Colchester, Conn.), Chase LaRusso (Enfield, Conn.), John Riley (Holbrook, N.Y.), Alex Starr (Lebanon, Conn.) and Nick Fortini (Deer Park, N.Y.) all picked up their first collegiate victories.