The Class of 2017 came into the Princeton wrestling room four years ago determined to build a winning culture. They did so by never experiencing a losing season.
For the first time in 30 years, a Tiger senior class posted four straight .500-or-better seasons, although it took until the final dual of their careers to clinch that milestone. Princeton brought an 8-8 record into Lancaster, Pa., but a quick start led the Tigers to a 28-9 win at EIWA rival Franklin & Marshall.
While head coach Chris Ayres rested his NCAA Championship-qualifying senior trio of Brett Harner, Jordan Laster and Ray O'Donnell, it was classmate Max Rogers who helped Princeton finish the season with a 9-8 dual record. Rogers picked up his 10th win of the season with a 12-2 major decision at 149, which helped Princeton race out to a 15-3 lead. Starters Ty Agaisse and Pat D'Arcy opened with decisions, while sophomore Mike D'Angelo added a 17-0 technical fall at 157.
Ayres was able to see three of his younger wrestlers close the dual, starting with a 9-1 major decision for Kevin Parker. Carlin Powell moved up two weights and gutted out a 2-1 win at 197, while freshman Christian Araneo closed the match with a first-period fall at heavyweight.
Princeton will be off next weekend, but it will return to the mat in two weeks to compete in the 2017 EIWA Championships at Bucknell.
Results:
125: Ty Agaisse (PRIN) over Edgar Garcia (F&M) (Dec 4-1)
133: Pat D`Arcy (PRIN) over Dan Martoccio (F&M) (Dec 13-9)
141: Patrick Quinlan (F&M) over Jordan Reich (PRIN) (Dec 10-7)
149: Max Rogers (PRIN) over Sam Butler (F&M) (MD 12-2)
157: Mike D`Angelo (PRIN) over Nicholas Maher (F&M) (TF 17-0 4:17)
165: Rob King (F&M) over Leonard Merkin (PRIN) (Dec 8-1)
174: James Stillerman (F&M) over Mattherw Gancayco (PRIN) (Dec 3-2)
184: Kevin Parker (PRIN) over Anthony Mancini (F&M) (MD 9-1)
197: Carlin Powell (PRIN) over Gordon Bolig (F&M) (Dec 2-1)
285: Christian Araneo (PRIN) over John Argast (F&M) (Fall 1:23)
