SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Led by freshman Ken Francis (New Bedford,MA) and juniors Frank Cammisa (Danbury, CT) and Jeff Esposti (Brookfield,CT), the Bridgewater State College wrestling team placed tenth at the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Division III Championships held this weekend at Springfield College.
The Bears registered a total of 40.5 points to come away with the tenth place finish. Williams College won the team championship with 136.5 points followed by Johnson & Wales University (136.5) and Rhode Island College (96.0).
Francis, Cammis and Esposti all captured All-New England honors by placing in the top six in their respective weight classes.
Francis, competing in the 133-pound weight class, battled back from a third round loss to finish in second place as he went 4-2 at the tournament. Seeded fifth, he knocked off three higher seeded wrestlers in #2 Scott Legacy of RIC, #3 Stephen Valastro of Southern Maine and #4 Bryan Conrad of Coast Guard. Francis' two losses came at the hands of top seed Nick Cucciniello of Johnson & Wales, including a 6-0 defeat in the championship bout.
Cammisa, who won the 149-pound title in each of his first two seasons, posted a 3-2 record as the top seed in his weight class. He dropped an 8-5 decision to #2 Kevin Sutherland of RIC in the winner's bracket final and bowed to Sutherland again in the championship round, 2-1 in overtime.
The 184-pound Esposti also rebounded from an early loss to post a 3-2 record at the tournament. He was eliminated from competition with a tough 6-3 loss to eventual champion Bryan Lenhardt of Johnson & Wales.
Francis and Cammisa could still possibly advance to the NCAA Division III Championships as wild card selections. The wild cards are expected to be announced on Monday.