KINGS POINT, NY - The Hunter College wresting team defeated the United States Merchant Marine Academy, 26-19.

After posting a 13-0 lead, the Hawks staved off a comeback that tied the match at 19. Musa DeReese and Leon Bodden won the final two matches to break the tie and clinch the victory.

Kenneth Albert started things off at 125 with a 6-3 decision over Preston Graham. Ryan Gerondel followed at 133 with a 11-2 major decision as the Hawks owned a 13-0 lead after a forfeit at 141 to Sean Messina.

But the Mariners recorded back-to-back falls at 149 and 157 to cut the margin to one. Connar Zimmerman then defeated Thor McHugh 7-3 at 165 to give USMMA a 15-13 match lead.

At 174, Luke Pragdat turned the tide on the Mariners with his pin of Samual Fry in 2:19. Jordan Donahue suffered a 17-7 major decision loss at 184 to Erik Schott, which set the stage for the two dramatic Hawks victories at the upper weights.

DeReese defeated Tyler Russell 10-4 to earn the the three-point victory at 197, narrowly missing the major decision. With the match on the line, Bodden stepped up to earn a 8-0 major decision victory over Connan Ingham,.

The Hawks will be back in action again on January 7th when they head to Pennsylvania to compete in a quad meet hosted by Gettysburg College.

Hunter College 26, United States Merchant Marine Academy 19
125: Kenneth Albert (H) dec. Preston Graham (M) 6-3 (H: 3-0)
133: Ryan Gerondel (H) maj. dec. Tom Healy (M) 11-2 (H: 7-0)
141: Sean Messina (H) For. (H:13-0)
149: Martin Bell (M) pin Chris Gogatz (H) 1:39 (H: 13-6)
157: Brandon Yeik (M) pin Brady Kwong (H) 1:41 (H: 13-12)
165: Connar Zimmerman (M) dec. Thor McHugh (H) 7-3 (M: 15-13)
174: Luke Pragdat (H) pin Samual Fry (M) 2:30 (H: 19-15)
184: Erik Schott  (M) maj dec. Jordan Donahue (H) 17-7 (19-19)
197: Musa DeReese (H) dec. Tyler Russell  (M) 10-4 (H: 22-19)
285: Leon Bodden (H) maj. dec. Connan Ingham (M) 8-0 (C: 26-19)