WRESTLING

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Scott MacLean and Chris Rideout each picked up wins by fall, but it was not enough as the Norwich wrestling team lost a hard-fought 24-21 decision to Springfield College on Saturday afternoon at Andrews Hall, dropping the Cadets to 2-2 on the season.

The match began at 285 pounds, and Jake Kirk-Elkin staked NU to an early 3-0 lead with a 3-0 decision over Steve Mendozzi. MacLean quickly made it 9-0 in favor of the Cadets as he pinned Gary Hennigsen in just 2:31 at 125 pounds.

Springfield won the next five bouts, including one by fall and one by major decision as the Pride took a 19-9 lead with just three bouts to go.

Jake Ferguson was awarded a win via medical forfeit at 174 pounds to draw Norwich to within four points at 19-15, but Springfield's Elliot Smith posted a 15-0 technical fall victory over Clayton Brittingham at 184 pounds to secure the match.

Rideout pinned John Ragno in 6:38 at 197 pounds to round out the match.

Norwich returns to action on Jan. 5, when the Cadets participate in the Williams Invitational.

HWT Jake Kirk-Elkin (NU) dec. Steve Mendozzi (SC)      3-0 

125   Scott MacLean (NU) fall Gary Hennigsen  (SC)      2:31

133    Eddie Giron (SC) dec. Brian Zane  (NU)                 8-3

141    Jamie Sgaglione (SC) fall Wes Walter (NU)          3:26

149    Christopher Deblock (SC) dec. Nick Monaco (NU) 14-8

157    Rob Misfud (SC) dec. Ryan Crosby (NU)              6-4

165    Jake Tyler (SC) maj. dec. Chris Barker (NU)           10-1

174    Jake Ferguson (NU) med. forfeit  Scott Heinze (SC)

184     Elliot Smith (SC) tech fall Clayton Brittingham (NU)    15-0

197     Chris Rideout (NU) fall John Ragno  (SC)                    6:38