FINAL RESULTS

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Otterbein University wrestling team launched its season with a strong performance over the weekend, taking third out of 16 schools at the very competitive Ithaca Invitational.

The Cardinals, recording 100.5 points collectively, finished behind a trio of top-10 nationally ranked teams in Stevens Institute of Technology (143), Johnson and Wales (138) and host Ithaca (129).

Otterbein was spearheaded by five placers, most notably 165-pound sophomore Willy Plaisir going 4-1 to finish runner-up in his weight class. He had a major, a pin, and a narrow 12-11 decision as part of his run to the championship match, where he forfeited as a precaution following a tough spill in the semis.

Heavyweight Nate Temple performed well during his first action in a Cardinal uniform, posting a 5-1 record and ultimately finishing third in the 285-pound division. He tallied a pair of first-round pins to culminate his weekend.

Joey Tromba, who missed all of last season with an injury and hadn't wrestled competitively in over two years, took a strong fourth place at 174 pounds and registered three pins throughout the event. Drew Kasper, sitting No. 10 in the national rankings, also took fourth at 197 and wore his opponents down with three separate technical falls.

Sophomore Jackson Lakso (125) performed well in the lowest weight class, going 5-2 on the weekend and ultimately settling for fifth place. He secured two major decisions as part of his stay.

The Cards also got 3-2 weekends from Donny Didion at 184 pounds and transfer Santino DiSabato at 133, both coming up one match shy of placing.

Otterbein will be back in action Thursday evening, traveling to Sylvania, Ohio for a dual match against Lourdes University at 7 p.m.