New York, NY – Sophomore Sean Messina (West Islip, NY/West Islip) improved his season record to 5-3 with a pin on Garrick Skubon in the third period of a physical bout, but his efforts wouldn't be enough as the Hawks fall to Merchant Marine 28-12 in a wrestling match Tuesday night at the Hunter Sportsplex.

Hunter's first six team points came at 133 pounds when junior James Mustakis (East Meadow, NY/East Meadow) was awarded a victory via forfeit.

The match started off with 165 pounds, where freshman Jesse Capello-Colon (Brooklyn, NY/Midwood) was outmatched by junior Dan Twito who earned a 26-7 tech fall at the conclusion of the third period. At 174 pounds, Hunter junior Emman Sarwari (Coram, NY/Longwood) gave up an escape point late in the match that would become the decider after factoring in riding time in a 3-2 loss.

In total the Hawks lost four matches by just one point. The others were sophomore Greg Pollock at 125 pounds giving up a 4-3 decision to Graham Preston, senior Shabazz Bailey (Walden, NY/Valley Central) falling 2-1 to Kevin Hartnett at 149 pounds and senior Vitaly Simkin (Brooklyn, NY/Sheepshead Bay) giving up an 8-7 decision to Kevin Hartnett at 157 pounds.

Hunter, still in search of its first dual match victory, will get another shot on Saturday when Messiah College comes to town for a Noon match at the Sportsplex.

Weight by weight summary
165 Dan Twito (USMMA) tech fall Jesse Capello-Colon (HC) 25-7
174 Justin Diesel (USMMA) dec. Emman Sarwari (HC) 3-2
184 Erik Schott (USMMA) maj. dec. Ryan Baxter (HC) 9-1
197 Eric Vincent (USMMA) dec. RJ Klotz (HC) 7-2
285 Judson Connell (USMMA) maj. dec. Dan Heydeband (HC) 13-2
125 Graham Preston (USMMA) dec. Greg Pollock (HC) 4-3
133 James Mustakis (HC) win by forfeit
141 Sean Messina (HC) pinned Garrick Skubon (USMMA) 5:42
149 Kevin Hartnett (USMMA) dec. Shabazz Bailey (HC) 2-1
157 Nick Swanson (USMMA) dec. Vitaly Simkin (HC) 8-7
EX
285 Sands Smith (USMMA) pinned Chris Molfetas (HC) 6:10