PROVIDENCE, R.I. --

In what was arguably the highlight of the day for the Bears, Landon Kearns(East Brunswick, NJ) won the 165 division in dramatic fashion. He pinned his opponents in the first two rounds, and won by tech fall to reach the quarterfinal before pinning yet again to advance to the semifinal. In that penultimate bout of the 165 division, Kearns rode a 13-5 major decision into the finals. In the finals, facing the number six ranked wrestler in the nation, Kearns won by decision in a bout that went extra time with Kearns coming out victorious. 

The other winner for the Bears was Carl DiGiorgio(Doylestown, PA) in the 285 division. The senior heavyweight was, as usual, dominant. He had three tech falls en route to the semifinals where he advanced past teammate Lincoln Bibla(Mountain Top, PA). Bibla had three pins on the way to the semifinal. In the third place bout, the freshman took a 9-6 decision onto the podium. In the finals, DiGiorgio continued his excellent day with a 14-2 major decision.

Nathan Fitt(Branchville, NJ) and Nicholas Sanders(Fredericksburg, VA) took a share of the 149 pound crown after each man advanced to the finals. Sanders narrowly won his round of 32 bout in a 9-5 decision. The next two rounds were taken convincingly with a 16-0 tech fall and pin. In the semifinal, Sanders earned his share of the title with a dramatic 6-4 decision. Fitt cruised his way to the finals, with three tech falls and two pins. 

At 125, Nikko Beato(San Diego, CA) cruised through his first three bouts en route to the finals. He won by pin at the 3:39 mark in the opening round, 16-0 tech fall in the quarterfinal, and 11-2 major decision in the semifinal. In the finals, Beato was defeated by a 13-7 decision to take second place in a strong field of wrestlers. 

Four other Bears landed on the podium, all as third place finishers: 133 Marvin Armistead(Reading, PA), 157 Tye Barker(Las Cruces, NM), 184 Caden Stout(St. Clairsville, OH), and 197 Kevin Pandorf(Elmer, NJ). 

As a result of anticipated snowfall, tomorrow's NEWA Dual Meet Tournament has been canceled so the Bears will get back on the mat on Saturday January 31st with a home dual vs Western New England.