CORTLAND, N.Y. – Nationally fifth-ranked Cortland won nine of 10 matches, three by pin, in a 40-4 dual victory over visiting Nassau Community College. The Red Dragons improved to 11-3 on the season.

Senior Brian Bistis (Whitehouse Station, NJ/Hunterdon), wrestling up one weight class, earned a pin in four minutes, 26 seconds at 149 pounds. Junior Lou Puca (Huntington) pinned his opponent in 3:51 at 174 pounds and junior Lance Moore (Johnson City) recorded a pin in 4:08 at 285 pounds.

Sophomore Joe Giaramita (Elwood/John H. Glenn) won by a 16-8 major decision at 197 pounds. Cortland also picked up decisions by: freshman Troy Feniger (North Rockland) at 133 pounds, 7-4; sophomore Tony Battista (Liverpool/Cicero-North Syracuse) at 141 pounds, 9-3; sophomore Joe Cataldo (Wantagh/MacArthur) at 165 pounds, 9-5; and freshman Brian Bulger (Westfield, NJ) at 184 pounds, 7-1. Cortland also earned a forfeit win by junior Paul Fields (New City/Clarkstown North) at 125 pounds to open the dual. Nassau (1-4) registered its points when Kyle Wade earned a 14-0 major decision at 157 pounds.

Feniger trailed 4-3 after two periods, but tied his match with an escape five seconds into the third period and rang up the go-ahead takedown with 1:46 remaining. Battista jumped out to a 4-0 lead on a first-period takedown and near fall. His lead was cut to 4-3 with 1:05 left in the second, but he scored on a reversal 10 seconds later, and added another reversal 18 seconds into the third period.

Cataldo broke a 2-2 tie with a near fall late in the second period and led 5-2. Up 5-4, he began the third period with an escape, followed by a takedown with 1:12 left on his way to the victory. Bulger pulled away from a 2-1 lead with takedowns in the final 45 seconds of the second period and with six seconds left in the match.

Giaramita led 9-4 after a high-scoring first period. Up 9-5, he registered a takedown with 1:37 left in the second and a near fall with 17 seconds left in the period to go up 13-5. Nassau scored a takedown 30 seconds into the third, but Giaramita responded with a reversal at the 50-second mark. Nassau picked up a late escape point, but Giaramita's riding time point created the margin needed for the major decision.

Cortland will send competitors to the Jamestown Open on Sunday.


Cortland 40, Nassau Community College 4

125 – Paul Fields (CORT) won by forfeit
133 – Troy Feniger (CORT) dec. Santiago Valdez, 7-4
141 – Tony Battista (CORT) dec. Vincent Turano, 9-3
149 – Brian Bistis (CORT) pinned Justin Paradiso, 4:26
157 – Kyle Wade (NASS) major dec. Brendan Dent, 14-0
165 – Joe Cataldo (CORT) dec. Adam DeJesus, 9-5
174 – Lou Puca (CORT) pinned Zack Small, 3:51
184 – Brian Bulger (CORT) dec. Steve Lambert, 7-1
197 – Joe Giaramita (CORT) major dec. Chris Chambers, 16-8
285 – Lance Moore (CORT) pinned Nick Brennan, 4:08

Records after match: Cortland (Red Dragons) 11-3 (ranked 5th in Div. III), Nassau Community College (Lions) 1-4

(No exhibitions)