ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Cortland wrestling team, ranked 26th nationally in Division III, opened the dual-meet portion of its schedule with wins over RIT, 29-6, and Niagara County Community College, 34-11, at RIT.

Cortland won seven matches against the host Tigers. Tyler Beckwith (Greene) and Joe Giaramita (Elwood/John H. Glenn) won by technical falls at 184 and 197 pounds, respectively, while Greg Chery (Ronkonkoma/Connetquot) and Joe Cataldo (Wantagh/MacArthur) posted major decisions at 149 and 165 pounds, respectively. Beckwith is ranked seventh nationally and Giaramita is ranked fourth in their weight classes.

Cortland's other wins in the RIT match came via decisions by Vinny Romeo (Canandaigua) at 157 pounds and Lance Moore (Johnson City) at 285 pounds and a forfeit win by Paul Fields (New City/Clarkstown North) at 133 pounds. Moore is rated eighth nationally in his weight class.

RIT posted a major decision at 141 and a decision at 174 pounds. The teams both forfeited at 125, and each team was penalized a point for misconduct.

Cortland also won seven bouts in its victory over Niagara County CC. Nick Bellanza (East Northport/John H. Glenn) pinned his opponent at 285, while Beckwith and Tony Battista (Liverpool/Cicero-North Syracuse) earned technical falls at 184 and 149, respectively.

Matt Norris (Homer) earned a decision at 141 pounds and Brian Vutianitis (Warwick/Warwick Valley) won by decision at 174 pounds. The Red Dragons also picked up forfeit wins by Chris Fantauzzo (Rochester/Greece Athena) at 133 and Giaramita at 197. NCCC earned its points with a pin at 165 and a technical fall at 157.

Cortland will next compete January 9-10 at the Budd Whitehill Duals, hosted by Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa.

Cortland 29, RIT 6

125 – double forfeit
133 – Paul Fields (CORT) won by forfeit
141 – Jake Sepor (RIT) major dec. Jarrod Mauge, 12-2
149 – Greg Chery (CORT) major dec. Evan Vershay, 13-4
157 – Vinny Romeo (CORT) dec. Isaac Arabadjis, 6-3
165 – Joe Cataldo (CORT) major dec. Coty Lutz, 14-0
174 – Tory Cain (RIT) dec. Gino Gioielli, 8-1
184 – Tyler Beckwith (CORT) tech. fall Nick Fisk, 5:20 (16-0)
197 – Joe Giaramita (CORT) tech. fall Jake Swearingen, 6:16 (21-4)
285 – Lance Moore (CORT) dec. Sam Weingere, 4-2
(one point deducted from each team's score for misconduct)

Cortland 34, Niagara County CC 11

125 – double forfeit
133 – Chris Fantauzzo (CORT) won by forfeit
141 – Matt Norris (CORT) dec. Tom Nevilizer, 5-3
149 – Tony Battista (CORT) tech. fall Joe Dowdall, 2:17 (15-0)
157 – Jude Gardner (NIAG) tech. fall Greg Chery, 4:24 (18-2)
165 – Zachary Colgan (NIAG) pinned Joe Cataldo, 2:50
174 – Brian Vutianitis (CORT) dec. Shane Curry, 6-4
184 – Tyler Beckwith (CORT) tech. fall Gavin Pierce, 2:24 (17-0)
197 – Joe Giaramita (CORT) won by forfeit
285 – Nick Bellanza (CORT) pinned Nico Burgos, 4:46

Exhibition Matches:
Vinny Romeo (CORT) pinned Bernard McMillan (NCCC), 3:32
Josh Goodman (RIT) pinned Josh Reed (CORT), 4:14
Casey LaNave (CORT) pinned Vince Buscemi (RIT), 1:39
Brian Bulger (CORT) major dec. Josh Goodman (RIT), 13-1