BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – The Fairmont State wrestling team (13-13) won its final dual of the 2022-23 season on Friday (Feb. 3) over Bluefield State (2-5) 31-17 at Ned E. Shott Gym in Bluefield, W.Va.
 
"This was a solid win for our guys and it was a great way for us to end our dual schedule on a high note," said Fairmont State Wrestling Head Coach Gennaro Bonaventura. "We bounced back after starting off 4-8 and finished the season going 9-5. To get to the .500 mark is huge and it shows we are building something special here. We wrestled several tough teams and these guys really stepped up to get us to this point."
 
Brandan Myers (125 lbs.) started the night with an 11-2 MD win over his opponent to put up four points for the Falcons. Nate Pelesky followed with a pin at 133 lbs. to put Fairmont state ahead 10-0. After a Bluefield State pin at 141 lbs., Colton Stoneking picked up a convincing 20-5 victory via a technical fall that padded the Falcons lead, 15-6.
 
Kolton Parsons won via an 8-3 decision and Evan Thompson collected a 12-4 MD that added seven points to Fairmont State's total. In the 174-pound match, Jude Childers pulled out a crucial 5-3 decision win that increased the lead to 25-6. The Big Blue picked up a win over forfeit in the 184-pound match and five more points in the 197-pound match. Thomas Graden ended the night with a win by forfeit in the 285-pound dual.
 
The Fairmont State wrestling team will begin to prepare for the NCAA Division II Super Regional 1 which will be held on Feb. 25 in East Stroudsburg, Pa.
 
"It is time for us to set our sights on regionals," remarked Bonaventura. "It is our goal to push a lot of our guys to nationals."