ITHACA, New York - The American International College wrestling team placed sixth of 11 teams at the Ithaca Invitational on November 1-2 to open the season.

AIC scored 73.5 points as a squad.

Jack MacKiernan finished fourth at 184, opening with pins against Logan Frank of Vermont State University-Castleton and Garrett Roskelly of Elmira College and then a 14-8 decision against Xavier Pommells of host Ithaca College. Sampson Wilkins of Castleton won the semifinal bout against MacKiernan 10-1, but in the consolation semis, MacKiernan bounced back to win a technical fall over Ithaca's Eamon Callaghan, 19-2. In the third-place bout, MacKiernan and Nick Rogers of Springfield College battled to a close finish, but the decision went to Rogers, 9-7, leaving MacKiernan with a fourth-place standing.

At 157, Tommy Nichols rolled through his first three rounds as well, pinning Ithaca's Michael Fahmie in 2:02, then winning a 14-3 major decision against Vincent Faldetta of Johnson & Wales University before an 11-2 major decision against Ithaca's Brian Bienus. Castleton's Nate Camiscioli was the next opponent for Nichols, and edged out Nichols 5-4. Pushed into the consolation bracket, Nichols pinned Gabriel Case of Johnson & Wales, and then won a 10-4 battle with Tyler Rossini of Oswego State University to take third place.

Several other wrestlers had strong showings; Joseph Aldrich took three wins at 133, including two technical falls and a pin of Castleton's Trey Lee. Aaron Morocho also snagged three wins, including a sudden-victory takedown of Ithaca's William Bentrim, and Luis Rosa earned his first collegiate win at 141 with a 19-4 technical fall over Norwich University's Aidan Morgan before bowing out against Morocho. Javon Harrison, also competing at 141, scored two decision wins. 

Cqari Bacote earned a pin at 149 in his first match as a Yellow Jacket, putting Andrew Palmeri to the mat in 2:50, and ultimately won three bouts; Joshua Sharron also opened his season with a pin and grabbed three wins total. Teghan McConnell followed suit at 165 by pinning Norwich's Teddy Tonna at 1:13 and took a wild 24-12 major decision against Jayden Lafrenaye of Johnson & Wales.

At 174, Markys Lissaint took two wins before his weekend was ended by his teammate, Joshua Nieroda; Nieroda also picked up two total victories at the tournament. Finally, at 197, Tommy Caracciolo took two major decisions, with both his losses coming to Andrew Filip of Castleton.

AIC next competes on Saturday, November 9 at the Springfield City Championship.