JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University men's wrestling program hosted its final home competition of the 2023-24 season today, Saturday, Jan. 13, at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC). Prior to their dual against Waynesburg University this afternoon, the Gothic Knights also hosted a Senior Day Ceremony to honor their four graduating student-athletes. Once things got going, both squads were neck-and-neck before the visiting Yellow Jackets eventually came out on top, 25-17.

As mentioned, NJCU (2-12) celebrated its four graduating team members prior to the match, including three student-athletes who have been with the program since its inaugural 2020-21 season — Pierre Francois (Elizabeth, N.J./Dwyer Tech), George Rivera (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck), Ty Bailey (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant Boro) and Jeff Johnson (Middlesex, N.J./Middlesex).
 
Competition began with a no contest at 125 pounds, before rookie 133-pounder Dean Costantino (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) put the Gothic Knights up, 6-0, against the Yellow Jackets (1-13) with a win by forfeit. After a tough loss at 141 by Rivera tied it up at 6-6, NJCU fell behind 11-6 after the 149 match. Sophomore Zack Vera (Livingston, N.J./Livingston), wrestling at 157 pounds, fired back with a dominant 18-2 technical fall victory to tie it back u at 11-11. Johnson followed at 165 pounds and quickly pinned his opponent in just over a minute to put the Green and Gold up, 17-11. Unfortunately, Waynesburg won final three matches of the day at 174, 184 and 197 — heavyweight was a no contest — to defeat NJCU.

Up Next:
The Gothic Knights return to action next Friday night, Jan. 19, on the road in Ewing, N.J., to take on New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) rival The College of New Jersey.