The Springfield College wrestling team kicked off its 2025–26 season in style on Saturday, picking up two solid wins over New England College and Norwich University. The Pride came out of the day 2-0, starting with a 34-10 victory over New England College before closing things out with a 24-17 win against Norwich.
In the first matchup, Springfield fell behind early after the opening two bouts, but Ryan Kozdra turned things around with an 11-3 major decision at 141. First-year wrestlers Isaac Quiles and Riley Carlucci kept the momentum going — Quiles earned a quick pin at 149, and Carlucci followed with a 9-2 decision at 157 to give Springfield the lead, as Quiles and Riley finished their first collegiate match impressing many.
New England College cut into the margin at 165, but Gabriel Thomasson answered with his own pin at 174 to swing things back in Springfield’s favor. The Pride then picked up a forfeit win at 184, and Oliver Parker added some fireworks with a lightning-fast 56-second pin at 197. Ben Katz closed out the match with a 9-3 decision at heavyweight, locking in the 34-10 team win. The six-foot 285-pound senior entered this year ranked regionally by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA).
The second duel against Norwich was a bit tighter. Jaden Colwell got the Pride rolling with a 10-7 decision at 133, and Kozdra followed with another strong major decision at 141. Norwich battled back to tie things up midway through, but Thomasson’s 16-6 major decision at 174 helped the Pride regain control. Matthew Hoxie then added a pin at 184, and Nick Rogers sealed the deal with an intense overtime victory at 197 to finish off the 24-17 win.
Springfield heads to New York for the Ithaca Invitational, starting Friday, Nov. 7 at 2:30 p.m. The Pride look to avenge their losses from the previous two seasons against Ithaca. Looking deeper into Springfield’s schedule, the Pride face Western New England on Nov. 14 at home, and have their eyes on a potential 12-0 all-time record against the Golden Bears dating back to 1996.