ROCHESTER, NY - After helping his team to a dominant victory over Keystone College this past Friday, Matt Bonato (Syracuse, NY/Liverpool) has been named the Empire 8 Wrestler of the Week heading into winter break.

Bonato was integral to a massive Pioneer victory in the team's first home meet of the 2025-2026 season, securing a big individual win to help the team defeat Keystone by a 55-0 final. In his 157lb bout, Bonato absolutely dominated, defeating the opposition via tech fall by a final score of 16-0. The Liverpool graduate accomplished this overwhelming feat in just under a minute and a half, taking down his opponent in the opening moments and then notching four consecutive near falls while never relinquishing control as he sped to the 16-0 decision. Bonato improved to 6-5 with the win, grabbing his third tech fall of the season. He was also named a Pioneer Athlete of the Week for his efforts.

Bonato and the rest of the men's wrestling team head to winter break, with a return to action scheduled for January 17th at Penn State Altoona.