BRISTOL, R.I. -- The Bridgewater State College wrestling team finished in eighth place at the season-opening Roger Williams University Invitational on Saturday.
The Bears posted a score of 52 points, finishing well behind tournament champion Wesleyan University (137 pts). Host Roger Williams placed second with 128 points, while Johnson and Wales University rounded out the top three with 126 points.
Senior John Marsh (New Bedford, MA) was the Bears' top wrestler at the tournament as he lost in the championship match of the 149-pound weight class. Marsh dropped a heart-breaking 5-4 overtime decision to Kevin Sutherland of Rhode Island College in the title bout. The match was still deadlocked after the overtime periods and was decided by Sutherland having the edge in riding time.
After receiving a first round bye, Marsh knocked off Curtis Hayes of Coast Guard Academy, 10-1, and then defeated Messiah's Don Commodore, 6-0. Marsh then posted a 10-2 victory over Andrew Van Dyke of Johnson and Wales to advance to the 149-pound final.
Junior Ethan Raymond (Middlebury, VT) was the only other BSC grappler to place in the top six. Raymond, who posted a record of 4-3 at the tournament, finished in sixth place in the 165-pound weight class after losing, 7-6, to Alex Shea of Johnson & Wales in the fifth place match.