Providence, R.I.—Juniors Matthew Kelly (Katonah, N.Y.) and Michael Alfonso (Garfield, N.J.) each took home first place finishes as the Rhode Island College wrestling team opened up the 2023-24 season at the Veterans All-American Classic, held in the RIC Recreation Center on Saturday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
• It was an individual meet with no team scoring.
 
• In addition to Rhode Island College, Harvard, New England College, Johnson and Wales, UMass (club), UConn (club) and unattached individuals took part in the meet.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Kelly, a transfer from New York University, went a perfect 4-0 with two pins and a tech. fall win to capture the crown at 197 lbs.
 
• Alfonso went 2-0 with a pin to win at 285 lbs.
 
• Sophomore Robert Stone (Deer Park, N.Y.) went 2-1 with a pair of pins to finish second at 125 lbs.
 
• Junior Kwesi Amoa (Central Islip, N.Y.) went 3-1 with two pins and a major decision to finish second at 133 lbs. Freshman Ethan Silva (Bellingham, Mass.) finished second at 285 lbs.
 
• Freshman Eneas Castillo (Cranston, R.I.) went 2-1 with a pin to finish third at 149 lbs. Sophomore Dillon Carter (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) went 3-1 with a pin to finish third at 157 lbs. Sophomore Scott Lallas (Farmington, N.H.) went 3-1 with a pin to finish third at 174 lbs.
 
• Sophomore Juan Rodriguez (Woodbury, N.Y.) went 2-1 with a major decision and a pin to finish fourth at 174 lbs.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will travel to Springfield to take part in the Doug Parker Invitational on Saturday, Nov. 18.