SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - East Stroudsburg University had five wrestlers post their first career dual wins, including a fall from redshirt sophomore Eric Howey at 157 pounds, as the Warriors opened their dual schedule with a 31-9 win at American International on Friday night.

Freshman Connor Maliff (125), freshman Joey Kratochvil (133), freshman Ray Nicosia (149), Howey (157) and freshman Joey Fogle (174) were all victorious in their first career action for the Warriors.

Redshirt senior Braden Turner, a two-time national qualifier and 2012 All-America who is ranked No. 8 in Division II at 157 pounds, wrestled up at 165 and earned a 4-1 decision over Nicholas Guiletti.

Sophomore Tyson Searer (197), also a returning national qualifier, opened his season with a 9-7 decision against Sheldon Rhoden.

Redshirt junior Luke DeLuise won by forfeit at 184.

The Warriors were without redshirt senior Brendan McKeown (174), ranked No. 5 in the nation and the defending Super Region 1 champion, due to injury. Fogle stepped in and notched a 13-2 major decision over Michael Schultz.

Maliff won by a 7-3 decision at 125, Kratochvil earned a 4-3 decision at 133 and Nicosia blanked Brandon Walsh, 4-0, at 149 before Howey decked Jonathan Ortiz at 157 in 48 seconds.

After Turner's decision at 157, Fogle had a 13-2 major decision over Michael Schultz at 174.

AIC's wins came from Simeon Everett by decision at 141 and Matthew Pringle by fall at 285. Everett and Pringle are AIC's only wrestlers in the top six in the Super Region 1 rankings.

Turner entered the year ranked No. 1 in the region at 157, McKeown is 2nd at 174, DeLuise is 5th at 184 and Searer is 2nd at 197.

The Warriors will remain in Springfield for the Doug Parker Invitational at Springfield College on Saturday.


ESU 31, American International 9
125 - Connor Maliff (ESU) dec. Blake Nikkinen, 7-3
133 - Joey Kratochvil (ESU) dec. Andrew Lischke, 4-3
141 - Simeon Everett (AIC) dec. Joseph Hoy, 12-9
149 - Ray Nicosia (ESU) dec. Brandon Walsh, 4-0
157 - Eric Howey (ESU) pinned Jonathan Ortiz, 0:48
165 - No. 8 Braden Turner (ESU) dec. Nicholas Giulietti, 4-1
174 - Joey Fogle (ESU) maj. dec. Michael Schultz, 13-2
184 - Luke DeLuise wins by forfeit
197 - Tyson Searer (ESU) dec. Sheldon Rhoden, 9-7
285 - Matthew Pringle (AIC) pinned Kenny Taffur, 0:29

SR1 rankings:
141 - Everett (AIC) #6
165 - Turner (ESU) #1 at 157
184 - DeLuise (ESU) #5
197 - Searer (ESU) #2
285 - Pringle (AIC) #4