EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — The New Jersey City University women's wrestling team, ranked #12 in the preseason national rankings from the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), had a strong day on Sunday, Nov. 7, as the Gothic Knights took home fifth place at the ESU Open, hosted by #15 East Stroudsburg University. NJCU had five wrestlers place in their respective weight classes, led by sophomore All-American Naomi Henry (Brooklyn, N.Y./Wingate), who claimed the 130-pound title on Sunday.

The overall event was won by #9 Tiffin University, followed by #10 Gannon University in second, #11 Adrian College in third, Lock Haven University in fourth and NJCU in fifth.

Henry, who was the #6 ranked 130-pounder in the country by the NWCA heading into 2021-22, went 4-0 on the day, including two technical falls and one pin. The Gothic Knights also had two runners-up on the day, last year's two other national qualifiers. Fellow sophomore All-American and team captain Sandy Guerrero (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) went 3-1, with all three wins coming by fall, to take second at 191 pounds. Guerrero, who is also ranked #6 at her respective weight class and in one of wins, took down #5 Amara Devericks of Gannon in the Round of 16. The other runner-up was sophomore 109-pounder Johnae Drumright (Trenton, N.J./Trenton Central). She went 1-1 on the day after receiving a bye to the semifinal round.

Two new Gothic Knights were the other pair of top-six finishers for NJCU. Rookie 109-pounder Izabella Frezzo (East Rutherford, N.J./Becton Regional) came within one victory of facing off with Drumright for the weight class championship, going 2-2 with a pair of tech fall wins on the day. Sophomore Bella Serrano (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan), a transfer from East Stroudsburg, placed sixth at 116 pounds after going 2-3 with a pair of pins.

Three other Gothic Knights secured at least one victory on the day as well. Sophomore 136-pounder Claire Daity (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) was 1-2, as was classmate and 143-pounder Lockslea Mayers (Westminster, Md./Westminster), who earned her win by fall. Finally, freshman 136-pounder Kayla Zeppetelli (Little Ferry, N.J./Ridgefield Park) also went 1-2 and had a victory via pin.

Up Next:
Jersey City returns to action next Sunday, Nov. 14, back in East Stroudsburg to face the Warriors in a traditional dual.