WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The New Jersey City University men's wrestling team competed in the King's College Duals on Saturday, Dec. 13, at McGrane Gymnasium. The Gothic Knights finished the day with a 1–3 record, highlighted by a 27–21 victory over host King's College.
NJCU opened the day with a 33–8 loss to Alvernia before dropping two close contests to Albright (28–23) and Arcadia (25–23). The Gothic Knights closed the event on a strong note with their win over King's.

Against Alvernia, NJCU's eight points came from two upperweight performances. Senior Lucas Torre (Point Pleasant, N.J./Brick Memorial) (18–4) earned a 9–2 decision at 133 pounds, while senior Dean Costantino (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) (13–3) added five points with a dominant 27–11 technical fall in 4:18 at 141 pounds.

The matchup with Albright was tightly contested throughout. Sophomore Dominic Terracciano (Keansburg, N.J./Keansburg) (15–2) opened the dual with a pin at 125 pounds in 1:41. Torre followed with a 17–1 technical fall in 2:17 at 133 pounds, and Costantino extended NJCU's lead to 14–0 with a 9–8 decision at 141 pounds. Senior Zach Vera (17–3) recorded a fall at 149 pounds in 3:55 to give the Gothic Knights a 20–3 advantage. After Albright won the next four bouts, junior Simeon Hunte (Burlington Township, N.J./Burlington Township) (14–7) brought NJCU within two points with a 10–6 decision at 197 pounds. Albright secured the dual with a fall at heavyweight.

NJCU's contest with Arcadia also came down to the final bout. Terracciano put the Gothic Knights ahead early with a pin in 1:51 at 125 pounds. After Arcadia claimed a narrow decision at 133 pounds, Costantino responded with a pin in 3:13 at 141 pounds. Vera earned a 7–4 decision at 149 pounds, while Arcadia cut into the lead with a technical fall at 157. Freshman Zahier Chiles (Newark, N.J./St. Benedict's Prepratory) (14–8) extended NJCU's advantage with a 23–6 technical fall at 165 pounds. Arcadia won the next two bouts to take a 19–14 lead. Hunte earned a 14–7 decision at 197 pounds to bring NJCU within two, but Arcadia clinched the victory with a pin at heavyweight.

The Gothic Knights dominated their final dual against King's College. Terracciano (125 pounds), Torre (133 pounds), and Costantino (141 pounds) each posted technical falls to give NJCU a commanding 15–0 lead. Terracciano won 19–3 in 5:20, Torre earned a 17–2 tech fall in 1:47, and Costantino followed with a 24–6 result in 4:12. Vera added a 5–3 decision at 149 pounds to make it 18–0. After King's narrowed the margin, Chiles delivered a 20–2 technical fall in 3:37 at 165 pounds. Hunte added insurance with a 23–7 technical fall at 197 pounds as NJCU secured a 27–21 victory.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to action on Friday, Dec. 19, at Wilkes University. Competition is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.