STROUDSBURG, Pa. – Led by first place finishes from Jack Thode and Xavier Pena, the Centenary University wrestling team opened the regular season with a strong showing at the East Stroudsburg Open on Sunday.

Competing primarily against Division II squads, the Cyclones recorded seven top five finishes and recorded a sixth-place finish as a team.

The Champions:
Thode got his Cyclone career off to a flying start by going 4-0 at 125-pounds. The freshman started his day with a dominating 13-3 major decision over Andreo Ferraina of Kutztown. He followed that up with an 11-4 decision against Dom Flatt of Millersville.

In the semifinals, Thode was rolling with a 15-1 lead before his opponent Corey Morabito Blue of Kutztown was forced to take a medical forfeit. In the finals, Thode opened up a 2-0 lead after one and used a three-point second period to secure a 6-1 decision over Nic Alliison of Kutztown.

Pena picked up three wins en route to the win at 141-pounds for the Cyclones. After receiving a bye through the first round, the junior pulled through with a 9-8 decision over Collin Wickramaratna. Riding time proved to be the difference maker in a tight battle for Pena.

Pena followed that up with a 4-2 decision over Sean Johnson of American International in the semifinals. In the finals, he secured a 4-0 decision over Cameron Enriquez.

Top Five Finishers:
Freshman Danny Haws went 2-1 on the day and finished second at 133-pounds. After receiving a bye through the first round, Haws rolled to a 13-0 major decision over Colin Higgins of Millersville. He followed that up with a 15-4 major decision over Kelvin Rodriguez of East Stroudsburg in the semifinals. Haws was tripped up by Devin Flannery of Millersville in the championship bout.

Junior Keevon Berry posted a 2-1 mark at 197-pounds and finished second. He received a bye through the first round and advanced on a medical forfeit when taking on Zach Mafaro of Kutztown. In the semifinals, he battled for a 5-1 decision over Ajay Hiller of East Stroudsburg. He fell in the championship bout to Wayne McIntyre of Kutztown.

Freshman Dalton Deevey finished fourth at 285-pounds. Deevey started his day with a third period fall over Shane Saulnier of Sussex. Deevey then fell to Thomas Flood on a fall. Dustin Swanson of Kutztown was able to secure a decision over Deevey in the third-place bout.

Arauki A. Revi Jr. went 4-1 on the day and battled through the consolation bracket to finish fifth at 133-pounds. The senior started his day with an 8-2 decision over Trent Thompson of Kutztown. He was then tripped up by Flannery of Millersville. Revi Jr. bounced back with a tech fall win over Mateo Costello. He earned a medical forfeit over Brendan Smay of Kutztown. He closed out his day with a fall over Thompson.

Graduate student Justin Hopman went 4-1 at 184-pounds to finish fifth for the Cyclones. Hopman started his day with a fall over Jalin Badillo. He then fell to Anthony Giampietro of Millersville. He bounced back with a 3-1 decision over Markys Lissaint of American International. Hopman recorded a fall over Davis Lee of East Stroudsburg. In the fifth-place bout he posted a 4-2 decision over Jake Gilfoil.

The Cyclones are back in action on Saturday, Nov. 19 when they head to the prestigious Doug Parker Invitational hosted by Springfield College.