Coast Guard wrestlers open season with 38-7 win over RIC

Providence — Coast Guard Academy's wrestling team, ranked second in the nation, won its first dual meet in over a year on Friday night with a 38-7 victory over Rhode Island College.

The Bears, who are still hopeful of scheduling more meets during their coronavirus-shortened season, won eight of 10 matches, and saw three seniors — Parker Brunkala (125 pounds), Jon Wagner (197) and Thomas Sidener (heavyweight) — win their matches.

Coast Guard's last dual meet was on Feb. 12, 2020, a 24-7 win over rival Merchant Marine Academy. The Bears were in Ohio for the NCAA Division III championships a month later when NCAA officials canceled the meet due to COVID-19.

"We had three seniors in the lineup tonight," head coach Kevin Bratland said. "It's been a crazy season for them, always wondering when their first match will be and when their last match will be. I am excited that our administration granted them the opportunity to wrestle someone other than their practice partner.

"All three seniors showed why they are leaders on this team with their performances."

Brunkala won his match by technical fall, 16-0 in 1 minute, 31 seconds, while Wagner, ranked second in the nation and a returning All-American, earned a 3-2 decision and Sidener won in overtime, 4-1.

Two other returning All-Americans, Paul Detwiler (184) and Phil Rogers (165), also won. Detwiler, ranked No. 1 nationally, earned his 50th career win with a 21-6 technical fall victory in 6:47 while Rogers, ranked fifth in the nation, won by pin in 5:49.

AJ Pagliarulo (141) won by technical fall, 16-0, in 1:49 while Liam Logue (133) earned a pin in just 50 seconds and David McCullough (174) won by technical fall, 18-2, in 3:49.

Coast Guard's Noah Caskey, a sophomore from Montville, lost a tough 5-4 decision at 140 while Tony Ulaszek (157) was beaten 9-1.