NEW YORK, N.Y. — Hunter College wrestling delivered a dominant performance on Homecoming Day, powering past Keystone College for a 42–12 victory Friday afternoon in the B3 Gym.
After dropping the opening bout at 197 pounds, the Hawks immediately seized control and never relinquished it. Lazare Chikhradze put Hunter on the board at 285 with a forfeit win, evening the score at 6–6. The 125-pound match resulted in a double forfeit, but the Hawks surged ahead moments later.
Muhamadu Konteh gave Hunter its first lead of the dual at 133, pinning Tanner Pringle in 1:29 to make it 12–6. Komiljon Ismoilov followed with a forfeit victory at 141, extending the advantage before Jayden Medina kept the momentum rolling. Medina earned a first-period pin over Keystone's Ralph Nieves in just 40 seconds, pushing the Hawks ahead 24–6.
At 157 pounds, Marc Kleyman secured another quick fall, pinning Michael Palinkas in 56 seconds for a 30–6 lead. Though the Giants picked up a win at 165, Hunter immediately responded as Oscar O'Donnell-Powell claimed a forfeit at 174.
Rookie Naseer Johnson closed out the scoring at 184 with a pin over Mariano Monacelli in 5:19, sealing the decisive Homecoming victory for the Hawks.
Hunter also impressed in exhibition action. Nacim Benzine earned a 15–3 major decision over Cody Bomboy at 149, while Isaiah Harris was pinned at 165. Chikhradze returned to the mat at 285, dropping an 8–1 decision to Keystone's Nero Bono.
With the win, Hunter capped off its Homecoming slate with a strong showing on the mat, highlighting both veteran consistency and rising young talent as the season continues.
