WILKES-BARRE, Pa.- The Hunter College wrestling team opened its 2026-27 season with a seventh-place finish among 12 teams at the Ned McGinley Invitational, hosted by King's College (Pa.) on Saturday. The Hawks saw 20 of their 25 competing wrestlers record at least one victory, highlighted by podium finishes from freshmen Louden Elliott and Eric Ivry.
Elliott led the way for Hunter with a third-place finish in the 141-pound bracket, posting a 4-1 record with two pins. His lone loss came in the semifinals against eventual champion Ryan Yang of Stevens Tech in a 12-7 decision. Elliott bounced back to secure third place with a pin over NYU's Aidan Lee.
Ivry added another strong performance in his collegiate debut, finishing fifth at 133 pounds with a 4-1 record. He recorded four bonus-point victories, including three falls, to round out Hunter's podium finishes.
Three additional Hawks advanced to the blood round, falling just short of placement. Freshmen Ryder Menard (125 pounds) and Galileo Mejia (184 pounds), along with sophomore Hayden Roy (285 pounds), each recorded two victories. Komiljon Ismoilov also made an impact at 141 pounds, collecting three bonus-point wins.
Hunter showcased its depth throughout the tournament, with six other wrestlers earning multiple victories. Junior Jack Kent (165) joined sophomores Muhamadu Konteh (125), Kenan Djokic (141), Christopher Gliaos (149) and Alimkhan Guseinov (197), along with freshman Felix Santana (157), in recording two wins apiece.
The Hawks also received contributions from several other wrestlers who picked up individual victories. Freshmen Logan Pascarella, Philip Divino and Temur Makhmudov each earned wins at 133 pounds, while Amirjon Zokirvov (149), Reymond Cerda (165) and Manaen Capellan (197) added victories in their respective brackets. Anthony Coccarelli (157) and Naser Johnson (184) also secured wins to contribute to Hunter's season-opening effort.
Hunter returns to action at home for a tri-match against Shenandoah University and Rhode Island College at the Hunter Sportsplex. Competition is scheduled to begin at noon.
