Is a season defined by its record or by the athletes who rise when it matters most? For these three men’s wrestling podium finishers, the answer is clear.
On March 7 and 8, the Sacred Heart University men’s wrestling team went to Bethlehem, Pa., to compete in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Championship. Lehigh University hosted 12 universities for the two-day Event.
“The ‘W’ in EIWA stands for wrestling, so it’s a wrestling only conference,” said Head Coach John Clark.
The men’s wrestling team had an overall record of 1-17 this season. Although no one qualified for nationals, they had three top eight placements. One of which was junior Hunter Perez, who finished in seventh at 184 pounds.
“Placing seventh in a tough tournament really builds your confidence,” said Perez.
Jakob Gilfoil of Army West Point forfeited the match, allowing Perez to secure his seventh-place finish.
“The final match was just going out there and wrestling well,” said Perez. “It didn’t really matter how it went since I was already on the podium, so it was more about going out there, having fun and letting it fly,”
Another podium placement from the championship came from junior Felix Lettini, 157 pounds, who finished in eighth and first-year Braxton Fries-Appello, 133 pounds, who finished in seventh. Both finished the championship with an overall record of 2-3.
With the end of their 2024-2025 season, the Pioneers look towards the off season and the next season back on the mat with optimism.
“I make sure I’m still wrestling during the off season, staying fit and in shape, and then, just coming in next year ready to wrestle,” said Perez.
Source: Mark F. Conrad, Sacred Heart University
Clark plans to have at least 61 student athletes on the team next season, a step up from their current number.
“We have a lot of recruits coming in, so we’re trying to change a little culture here that hasn’t been changed in a while,” said Perez.
“I feel like every student athlete did well, and it’s something to build on going into next year,” said Clark.
Sacred Heart Athletics contributed to this article.
