Pioneers Finish 11th at NCWA's, Van Valen earns 100th Career Victory

The Alfred State wrestling team went 2-1 on Saturday and earned 11th place at the NCWA National Duals Tournament. The Pioneers won 54-0 over RPI, fell 30-28 to Toledo, and then defeated Maine 28-22.

After finishing 1-2 in Pool A on Friday, the Pioneers started the day in a bracket to determine 9th - 16th place. The Pioneers received forfeit victories in each of their matches in the consolation quarterfinal match vs. RPI.

In the consolation semifinal, the Pioneers had a tough battle with #12 Toledo. On the mat, Mike Galton (Warsaw) won 13-0 over Ben Huff at 157 and Kyle Fitzgerald (South Lewis) pinned Michael Frias at heavyweight in 35 seconds. Patrick Lehman (Marathon) and George Van Valen (Ithaca) earned forfeit victories.

In the 11th place match, Lehman started off the match vs. Maine with a pin of Mark Hoyt in 1:55. Ryan Thierman (Portville) got a forfeit victory at 141 to make it 12-0 before Maine rallied to win the next three matches to take a 16-12 lead. Anthony Cino (Williamson) pinned William Jabs in 28 seconds at 174 and Van Valen earned a 12-0 win at 184 to make it 22-16. The Black Bears took teh match at 197 to tie it at 22-22 but the Pioneers received a forfeit victory at heavyweight to earn the victory. 

Van Valen finished the tournament 6-0 and is now 26-0 on the season. He is currently ranked the #1 wrestler in the NCWA. With his success today, Van Valen is now 101-21 during his four year career at Alfred State.  

The Pioneers are back in action next Saturday when they travel to the Baldwin Wallace Invitational.