Pioneers Win Season Opener over Elmira

Wrestling for the first time since March 2020, Alfred State earned a 53-3 victory over Elmira in the 2021-22 season opener for both programs. 

Jaden Hansen (Newburgh Free) started the evening with a late pin (6:40) at 125. After Troy Hayes (Windsor) earned a forfeit win at 133, Sean Peterson (Islip) earned a pin in 1:05 to make it 18-0. Robert Brotherton (Dryden), Justin Smith (Marcus Whitman), and Sean Malenfant (Averill Park) earned forfeit victories at 149, 157, and 165. 

Mike Galton (Warsaw) got back on the mat and earned a 19-3 tech fall victory at 174 to build on the lead. Cale Bartosch (Palmyra Macedon) and Blake Ilges (Canisteo Greenwood) earned forfeit wins to make it 53-0. In the final match of the night, Darius Green earned a tight 5-3 decision at heavyweight to end the match.

In exhibition matches, Brotherton earned a tech fall at 141 and Malenfant recorded a pin in 2:18. Elmira's Mason Cardinale and Green earned victories via pin as well.

The Pioneers are back in action on Saturday when they head to Michigan to compete in the Adrian Invitational. Action is slated to start at 9 a.m.